1. What are phytochemicals? Updated: January 14, 2011
2. On your Web site you make the statement, "the thought that fresh fruits and vegetables are always better than frozen or canned is a myth." With 200 to 400 mg of salt per serving in most canned vegetables, how can you make this statement? If you eat the recommended daily serving of vegetables, you are going to exceed the daily recommended amount of salt intake. The most significant difference between canned versus fresh vegetables is the sodium content. Sodium acts as a preservative, which helps keep food on the shelf longer. However, Americans consume an average of 4,000 to 6,000 mg of sodium per day, when a healthy adult should actually consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium (1 tsp) per day! If you are older than 50; are African American; or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, your sodium intake should not exceed 1,500 mg per day. Updated: January 13, 2011
3. How many calories do blueberries have? Updated: January 13, 2011
4. Do blueberries have any fat? Updated: January 13, 2011
5. What should I look for when selecting blueberries at a market? Updated: January 13, 2011
6. How long can I store freshly picked blueberries? Updated: January 13, 2011
7. Do blueberries have any protein? Updated: January 13, 2011
8. Why do blueberries change color during cooking? Updated: January 13, 2011
9. How many carbohydrates do blueberries have? Updated: January 13, 2011
10. Do blueberries have mostly soluble or insoluble fiber? Updated: January 13, 2011
11. What is a botanical dietary supplement? Updated: January 13, 2011
12. What are the health benefits of blueberry antioxidants? Updated: January 13, 2011
13. I have seen advertisements saying green beans lose half their vitamins in 10 days. Is there a reference source that shows percentage loss of nutrients for various veggies after picking, both refrigerated and not? Updated: January 13, 2011
14. What is leaf broccoli, and how should it be cooked? Updated: January 13, 2011
15. How do you calculate the cost savings for people who grow their own fruits and vegetables? Updated: May 10, 2010
16. Do you freeze veggies without cooking, or do you drop them in boiling water for a minute or two? Updated: May 10, 2010
17. Research shows that families can help prevent obesity by increasing their intake of fiber-rich fresh fruits, especially before meals. However, many urban areas lack supermarkets that sell fresh fruit. What can families who live in these areas do? Updated: May 10, 2010
18. I recently have been adding fresh greens (romaine, spinach, etc.) to my meals by cooking it in a small amount of margarine on the stove. I enjoy the added texture/color of this, and it enhances some of my existing recipes. Am I sacrificing any nutritional value by cooking the lettuce (such as red lettuce) for short periods of time? Are there other greens you recommend to use like this? Updated: May 10, 2010
19. What are lychees, and what do they taste like? Updated: May 10, 2010
20. Why should I buy local produce at farm stands or farmer’s markets? Isn’t the produce at the grocery store from local farmers? Updated: May 28, 2009
21. My child doesn't like vegetables but will eat fruit. Can I just give her fruit and meet her nutrient needs? Updated: May 28, 2009
22. I know fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy, but I am worried about getting sick from eating contaminated produce. Is it safe to eat produce? Updated: May 28, 2009
23. I have trouble getting the daily recommended 1½ cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables on a fixed income. What are some ways I can get affordable fruits and vegetables in my diet? Fresh vegetables are not always affordable for my family. What should I do? Updated: May 27, 2009
24. Are canned fruits and vegetables O.K.? Updated: May 27, 2009
25. Where can I find out the health benefits of eating a particular fruit? Updated: May 27, 2009
26. How can I make sure that I am getting all the nutrients I need on a vegan diet? Updated: May 27, 2009
27. What are some ways I can get my family to eat more vegetables? Updated: January 27, 2009
28. What are some ways I can get my family to eat more fruit? Updated: January 27, 2009
29. I heard that frozen vegetables are better for you than fresh vegetables. Is that true? Updated: January 27, 2009
30. Is it true that eating too much fruit can be harmful for a person with diabetes? Updated: January 27, 2009

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