What Is Better for You, a Vegetable or Fruit?

The body needs both fruit and vegetables to be healthy.

Vegetables Are More Nutrient Dense

Vegetables like carrots are full of nutrients.

If fruit and vegetables are compared on the basis of which is the more nutrient dense, vegetables emerge as the winner. Vegetables contain both a wider variety and a higher amount of nutrients than fruits do. This is largely due to the way that vegetables grow. Veggies usually grow either within the earth or close to the earth, and they're the recipients of many soil minerals and nutrients that fruits do not have.

Fruit Offers Nutrients

Fruits such as oranges provide Vitamin C and fiber.

Fruits may not offer quite as many nutrients as vegetables do, but they are still an important addition to a well-rounded diet. Fruit is frequently high in essential vitamins like vitamin C, and many fruits are full of fiber that the body needs to function at its best. Fruit also offers the potential advantage of having more calories than veggies, which the body does need in order to survive.

Bottom Line

While vegetables may have the distinction of being more nutritious than fruit, both are necessary in a well-balanced diet. The Harvard School of Public Health says "Most people should aim for at least nine servings (at least 4½ cups) of vegetables and fruits a day." Fruits and vegetables are both needed for optimum health.

References

• The World's Healthiest Foods: Are vegetables and fruits equally good for my health?
• Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Fruit and Vegetable Benefits
• Harvard School of Public Health: Vegetables and Fruits: Bottom Line