According to the Austrian Society for Nutrition, you should ideally eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Some people are more likely to choose fruit varieties, while others prefer to eat more vegetables to meet their daily needs .
But what is really healthier now, and should you eat more fruits or vegetables?
In this blog post, we explore this question and also clarify where the differences between fruits and vegetables lie and whether there are any differences between the two at all.
Fruit vs. Vegetables – What's the Difference?
Let's start with the question of what differences there are between fruit varieties and vegetables. How can the two be distinguished? What makes an apple a fruit and a pumpkin a vegetable?
In science, there is no clear distinction between fruit and vegetables. This is mainly due to the fact that there are so many exceptions, and a food, for example, does not fit into the category due to a characteristic. Even food scientists therefore have no clear definition of what a fruit variety or a vegetable variety is.
However, there are many indications that suggest whether a food is more of a fruit or vegetable:
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Fruit is mainly eaten raw, while vegetables are more often cooked
or at least steamed. However, there are exceptions here, such as the apple, which also tastes very good warm in the form of apple rings or apple strudel.
But there are also vegetables, such as carrots or celery, that you can snack on raw. But why is fruit used more as a raw food? This is due, on the one hand, to the higher sugar content and, on the other hand, to the fact that ripe fruit is usually soft and can therefore be chewed well raw. Vegetables are rather hard and therefore difficult to chew. - Fruit is usually sweeter than vegetables . In addition, vegetables are prepared rather spicy.
- Fruit is rather sweet to sour in taste. Vegetables , on the other hand, do not have such a strong taste and can therefore be seasoned well. Great for cooking.
- Another difference is the average water content . Vegetables often have a content of up to 80%, the cucumber even 97%. Fruit has a lower water content in comparison. For example, the banana has only a water content of 75%.
What are the differences between fruits and vegetables in botany?
Now we have learned the differences that are relevant to each of us and that we also notice in everyday life. In botany, however, there are other important distinguishing features.
- A big difference between fruits and vegetables is the length of time the plant lasts. Fruit is usually a perennial plant. The fruits grow on trees or shrubs and can be harvested every year. Vegetables , on the other hand, are harvested once per season and the plant then dies after one season or one year. Next year, the vegetables will have to be grown again. Asparagus, for example, is an exception here. A seasonal calendar for the different varieties can be helpful here.
- Fruit is the fruit or seed of a plant (fruit) that arises from its flowers . Vegetables , on the other hand, are whole parts of a plant , such as the stems, roots, or leaves. Again, there are exceptions: peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, melons, pumpkin, octopus, zucchini, and legumes are vegetables that come from the flower of a plant. They are therefore called fruit vegetables.
Which plants are fruits and which vegetables?
Here you will find an overview of the different fruits and vegetables.
| Fruit varieties (fruits) | Vegetable varieties |
| Acerola, pineapple, apple, apricot, banana, pear, blackberry, clementine, cranberry, dates, durian, dragon fruit, strawberries, fig, pomegranate, grapefruit, guava, rose hip, raspberry, elderberry, cloudberry, currant, persimmon, cherry, kiwi, lime, lychee, mandarin, mango, passion fruit, melon, mirabelle, orange, grapefruit, papaya, quince, lemon, plum | Artichoke, wild garlic, cauliflower, nettle, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, pea, endive, fennel, leek, carrot, potatoes, garlic, kohlrabi, lentils, corn, chard, manioc, horseradish, parsnip, mushrooms, radishes, rhubarb, beetroot, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, chives, celery, soybean, asparagus, spinach, wasabi, white cabbage, savory, onion |
Some foods such as eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, peppers, pumpkin, and zucchini cannot be clearly assigned to the fruit and vegetable category and can therefore be found in the additional category of fruit vegetables.
Is fruit or vegetables more important for the body?
What are the differences for the body? Does fruit or vegetables have more benefits for us? What should we eat more of? It is important to consume both fruits and vegetables.
Both foods contain a lot of nutrients and are good and important for health . Among other things, they contain plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals.
The latter have an anti-inflammatory effect and also have an antibacterial effect.
According to the Austrian Society for Nutrition (ÖGE), you should eat 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day .
It is also important to eat different fruits and vegetables , because they contain different nutrients.
A balanced and varied diet is essential for an optimal supply of all important vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Many of the fruit and vegetable varieties can easily be grown in the garden itself.
If you don't have your own garden, you can also grow your vegetables in pots. Gardens can now also be rented.
These vitamins and minerals are found in fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables both provide vitamins and minerals . How much of this depends, among other things, on the type of preparation.
Since vitamins and minerals are not produced by the body itself, they must be supplied through diet.
Because they are good for the structure of cells, bones, teeth, metabolism, and much more.
When stored, fruits and vegetables lose vitamins, so it is especially important to store them properly.
The food must be stored cool, dark, frost-proof, in high humidity, and with air exchange. Learn how to store food properly here.
| The most important vitamins | In this fruit and vegetables you will find them |
| Beta-carotene (precursor of vitamin A) | Carrots, spinach, broccoli, apricots, red peppers |
| Vitamin B1 | Legumes such as peas and lentils |
| Vitamin B2 | Kale and broccoli |
| Vitamin B6 | Banana, avocado, beans, lamb's lettuce, potatoes |
| Vitamin C | Kiwis, berries, citrus fruits, peppers, tomatoes |
| Vitamin D | Mushrooms |
| Vitamin E | Nuts and seeds |
| Vitamin K | Cabbage, spinach, green lettuce |
Fiber
Fiber is almost exclusively found in plant foods. They lead to a longer feeling of fullness , so you eat less and can better keep the weight off.
In addition, fiber stimulates digestion, lowers cholesterol, is good for blood sugar levels, and lowers the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, or diabetes.
The following types of fruit are particularly high in fiber: apples, berries, and pears, and particularly dried fruits such as raisins and apricots .
In addition, broccoli, peas, carrots, and potatoes are good vegetables with a high fiber content.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, whole grain cereals also contain a high proportion of fiber.
Do fruits and vegetables contain a lot of sugar?
As we have already mentioned, fruit (fruit) has, on average, more sugar than vegetables.
So if you want to lose weight, you should opt for vegetables and eat less fruit. In general, vegetables are therefore healthier than fruit.
Sweet fruit, in particular, contains more fructose and should therefore only be consumed in moderation.
Fructose promotes the feeling of hunger, and thus you eat more. You can find out more about sugar and how harmful it really is here.
Variety is key
As already mentioned, you should eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables a day. However, this does not mean that you should eat the same food 5 times.
It is important that you include as many different types of fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible.
Because it is best for the body to combine many varieties of fruits and vegetables , because this is how you consume the most vitamins and nutrients.
What vegetables and fruits are in our Verival products?
Our Verival breakfast products contain many important fruits and vegetables. Our products contain many berries such as raspberries, blueberries , strawberries, blackberries and currants. You are in season with us all year round, as we use freeze-dried berries.
Other fruits you can find in our cereals, porridges, and granola include apricots, bananas, plums, cherries, peaches, acerola, orange, and mango.
We also particularly recommend our two spicy porridges, the pumpkin-tomato porridge and the broccoli porridge. Because oatmeal does not necessarily have to be sweet and fruity, but also complements with vegetables.
In the Verival blog, you will find many recipes on how to turn the different varieties into a healthy breakfast or dish.
