Healthy Vegetables

  • Acorn Squash

    Buy: Heavy for size, firm, dark green or orange.


    Avoid: Soft spots or moldy patches.

  • Artichokes

    Buy: Firm, heavy, tightly closed leaves.


    Avoid: Dry or browning leaves.

  • Arugula

    Buy: Organic, bright green leaves, no wilting.


    Avoid: Yellowing or slimy leaves.

  • Asparagus

    Buy: Firm, bright green stalks, tightly closed tips.


    Avoid: Limp or mushy stalks.

  • Bamboo Shoots

    Buy: Fresh, firm, light-colored.


    Avoid: Soft or slimy texture.

  • Beets

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, vibrant color, greens attached if possible.


    Avoid: Soft spots or shriveled skin.

  • Beets

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, vibrant color, greens attached if possible.


    Avoid: Soft spots or shriveled skin.

  • Bell Peppers

    Buy: Organic, firm, vibrant color, smooth skin.


    Avoid: Wrinkled or soft spots.

  • Bok Choy

    Buy: Crisp, bright green leaves, firm white stalks.


    Avoid: Wilted leaves or browning edges.

  • Broccoli

    Buy: Firm stalks, tightly packed dark green florets.


    Avoid: Yellowing or flowering florets.

  • Brussels Sprouts

    Buy: Firm, tightly packed leaves, bright green color.


    Avoid: Yellowing or loose leaves.

  • Butternut Squash

    Buy: Heavy, smooth skin, no soft spots.


    Avoid: Wrinkled skin or moldy spots.

  • Cabbage

    Buy: Firm, heavy, crisp leaves.


    Avoid: Wilted or browning edges.

  • Carrots

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, vibrant orange, greens attached if possible.


    Avoid: Limp or soft carrots.

  • Cauliflower

    Buy: Firm, white, tightly packed florets.


    Avoid: Brown spots or soft areas.

  • Celery Root

    Buy: Firm, even color, minimal root hairs.


    Avoid: Soft or overly knobby roots.

  • Celery

    Buy: Crisp, pale green stalks, no browning or wilting.


    Avoid: Limp or rubbery stalks.

  • Collard Greens

    Buy: Organic, dark green leaves, crisp texture.


    Avoid: Yellowing or limp leaves.

  • Corn

    Buy: Firm, plump kernels, bright green husks.


    Avoid: Dry or browning husks, shriveled kernels.

  • Cucumbers

    Buy: Firm, dark green, smooth skin.


    Avoid: Soft spots or wrinkling.

  • Daikon Radish

    Buy: Firm, smooth white skin, heavy for size.


    Avoid: Soft spots or wrinkling.

  • Dandelion Greens

    Buy: Organic, dark green, crisp leaves.


    Avoid: Yellowing or wilting.

  • Eggplant

    Buy: Firm, smooth, shiny skin, heavy for size.


    Avoid: Soft spots or dull skin.

  • Endive

    Buy: Firm, crisp, bright green or yellow leaves.


    Avoid: Browning or wilting leaves.

  • Fennel

    Buy: Firm, white bulb, bright green fronds.


    Avoid: Browning or soft spots.

  • Garlic

    Buy: Firm, plump bulbs with dry, papery skin.


    Avoid: Soft or sprouting cloves.

  • Ginger

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, no wrinkles

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    Avoid: Soft or shriveled pieces.

  • Green Beans

    Buy: Bright green, firm, crisp pods.


    Avoid: Limp or brown spots.

  • Jalapeños

    Buy: Firm, smooth, shiny skin.


    Avoid: Wrinkling or soft spots.

  • Jicama

    Buy: Firm, dry skin, heavy for size.


    Avoid: Wrinkled or soft skin.

  • Kale

    Buy: Organic, dark green leaves, crisp texture.


    Avoid: Yellowing or wilted leaves.

  • Kohlrabi

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, bright green or purple.


    Avoid: Soft spots or shriveling.

  • Leeks

    Buy: Firm white stalks, crisp green tops.


    Avoid: Limp or discolored tops.

  • Lettuce

    Buy: Organic, crisp leaves, vibrant color.


    Avoid: Brown edges or wilting.

  • Mushrooms

    Buy: Firm, smooth, clean caps, dry but not shriveled.


    Avoid: Slimy or wrinkled mushrooms.

  • Okra

    Buy: Bright green, firm, smooth skin.


    Avoid: Soft or overly large pods, which can be tough.

  • Onions

    Buy: Firm, dry skin, no soft spots.


    Avoid: Sprouting or soft onions.

  • Parsnips

    Buy: Firm, pale cream color, smooth skin.


    Avoid: Limp or spotted roots.

  • Peas (Snap, Snow, Shelling)

    Buy: Bright green, plump pods.


    Avoid: Wrinkled or yellowing pods.

  • Potatoes

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, no sprouting.


    Avoid: Soft spots, wrinkling, or greenish color.

  • Pumpkin

    Buy: Heavy, firm, deep color.


    Avoid: Soft spots or cracks.

  • Radishes

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, vibrant color, greens attached if possible.


    Avoid: Soft or yellowing radishes.

  • Rutabaga

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, heavy for size.


    Avoid: Soft or wrinkled spots.

  • Scallions

    Buy: Firm, crisp, bright green tops, white bases.


    Avoid: Wilted tops or slimy texture

  • Shallots

    Buy: Firm, dry skin, no soft spots.


    Avoid: Sprouting or soft shallots.

  • Spinach

    Buy: Organic, dark green, crisp leaves.


    Avoid: Yellowing or slimy leaves.

  • Squash (Yellow, Zucchini, Spaghetti)

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, no soft spots.


    Avoid: Wrinkled or bruised areas.

  • Sweet Potatoes

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, even color.


    Avoid: Soft spots or sprouting.

  • Swiss Chard

    Buy: Organic, crisp, colorful leaves, vibrant stems.


    Avoid: Wilted or yellowing leaves.

  • Tomatoes

    Buy: Firm but with slight give, vibrant color, vine-ripened if possible.


    Avoid: Wrinkled skin or soft spots.

  • Turnips

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, vibrant color.


    Avoid: Soft spots or shriveled skin.

  • Watercress

    Buy: Organic, dark green leaves, crisp stems.


    Avoid: Yellowing or slimy leaves.

  • Yams

    Buy: Firm, smooth skin, no sprouting.


    Avoid: Soft spots or wrinkling.

  • Zucchini

    Buy: Firm, dark green, smooth skin.


    Avoid: Soft spots or wrinkling.