Super cool graphics to follow.Just saying...
Cuz first there's a bunch of boring words.
Then cool images. Hang in there.
And, while I have your attention...
Some of the images will seems small.
So, just click on them to see them in full-size.
Okay, now - back to the blog.
(Already in progress.)
So, in my last post What do you do with apricot goo? I mentioned that the rutabaga tasted an awful lot like cauliflower. Amazingly so.
I got to thinking.
Wonder which one is more expensive - rutabagas or cauliflower?
I mean, they tasted the same to me.
Then I thought about it more.
While the flavor of mashed rutabaga was like cauliflower, I was basically eating it (with a little butter and cream) like mashed potato. Wonder which one is more expensive - rutabagas or russet potatoes?
And, what about nutrition?
I also eat mashed sweet potatoes.
What is more nutritious - rutabagas, potatoes, sweet potatoes or cauliflower?
And thus a research project is born.
I headed over to NutritionData.com because it's a fun site. And, cuz it has cool charts. (And, I'm a hugely visual person.)
I wanted to compare just the veggies - straight across the board.
Sure, I ate them mashed with a bit of salt, butter and cream.
(I was gonna add the same amounts of those to each anyway.)
To be even-handed, all the stats to follow are based on "boiled, drained, without salt."
Portions. Well, when it comes to mash - whether it's rutabaga, potato, sweet potato or cauliflower - I'm eating the about same amount. So, I chose 100 grams to be consistent.
Let's begin.
Price. (Where's a 4th grader when you need to compare fractions.)
Score 1 for the Potato.
Big loser is the Cauliflower.
Calorie count (other nutrition later)
Click on the pic to enlarge.
Score 1 for Ms. Cauliflower.
Loser is Mr. Russet.
So, how about "balance?"
Okay, seriously, I'm getting lost here...but more is better, I think.
For more info head to NutritionData.com
Score 1 for the Cauliflower.
Poor potato. *sniff*
So far the scores are:
Rutabaga - 0
Potato - 1
Sweet Potato - 0
Cauliflower - 2 (She's getting a big head now, too.)
How about Ratios? Carbs, Fats, Proteins.
(I'm haunted by my comment to my freshman Math teacher, Mr. A.
"When am I EVER gonna use algebra?!") Ack!
While Cauliflower is less top-heavy on carbs...
Score 1 for the Sweet Potato for its anti-inflammatory props!
Scores:
Rutabaga - 0 (Poor Rudy. Hang in there.)
Potato - 1
Sweet Potato - 1
Cauliflower - 2
Lastly, let's talk quality - "Protein quality"...to be exact.
Wow! Look at THAT!
Nice showing, everyone!
With kudos going to the Potato with 110.
A close second to Cauliflower with 102.
Final Scores:
Rutabaga - 0
Potato - 2
Sweet potato - 1
Cauliflower - 2
To be fair...
I really think the Rutabaga should get a point for being purple.
And, how cool is it that sweet potatoes are ORANGE?
(I'm visual, remember?)
Summation?
They're all winners! And, we are too, for having a site like NutritionData.com available to us free of charge. The site also offers a handy Protein Compliment Search. So, if you are missing a couple of blue squares like Mr. Rutabaga in the last image, you can click 1 button on the site and find what foods offer the "missing"...er, amino acids.
(I think that's right.
Where's a 4th grade science student when you need one?)
Anyway, I'm sure you've drifted off by now.
But, thus ends Dana's "
In a nutshell.
(But, that's another show.)
