Cooking vegetables

When you saute/fry vegetables in a little oil do they lose some nutrients due to the heat? because I know when you boil vegetables like carrots or frozen veg in water, they lose nutrients in to the water but does the same thing happen with frying?

I'm pretty sure that whenever you cook vegetables they lose some of the nutrients, no matter how you cook them.

Just cook and eat and don't worry about the nutrients lost in cooking.  I like to toss some big chunks of onion, red pepper, zucchini, and mushroom in a teaspoon of olive oil,  spread them in a roasting pan and put in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, stirring as needed.

Delicious, and easy too if you use foil or parchment paper to line the pan.

I have to agree with Figure...any nutrients you lose are (I'm sure) of little consequence as opposed to not eating your veggies at all.  I prefer most of my vegetables cooked personally...especially in the winter. 

Steaming is the best way to keep nutrients in veggies. 

Have you tried ZipLoc steam bags?  They're very convenient and you need no oil for frying!  I made steamed veggies the other night for dinner using a steam bag and they were unbelieveable!

Cooked vegetables are easier to digest, so it seems to me that you'd get more nutrients, not less.

No.  It is true that nutrients are lost, however you are more likely to eat them if you prepare them nicely.

One other thing, if you stir fry them in olive oil (or any oil) they'd go in the oil, right? you're not going to drain off all of it, so they're still in your meal.

Raw veggies keep their enzymes too, so those are still there, but when they're cooked, it's easier for your body to collect all the nutrients.

Either way, you're eating veggies, so it's win-win.  Short of dipping them in batter and deep frying them, I wouldn't worry.

JUST TO POINT OUT...

Nutrients ARE lost when you cook vegtables, and YES it is true you can digest cooked veggies easier... HOWEVER... once the nutrients are lost, well... they are lost, and you still digest raw veggies... just slower (which keeps you feeling full longer).

I just don't want anyone thinking that they are getting better nutrients by cooking them.

fluffydragon, it's not that the nutrients are simply leeched out of the vegetables by cooking. The heat breaks them down. So no matter how you cook them, some nutrients are going to be lost through cooking.

Original Post by nicoleamelia:

Have you tried ZipLoc steam bags?  They're very convenient and you need no oil for frying!  I made steamed veggies the other night for dinner using a steam bag and they were unbelieveable!

 I love these!! I also love zip&steam veggies by Green Giant (They are fresh frozen and steam right in the bag!)

I eat most of my vegetables raw since that's the focus of my diet (veggie and raw); however when I do cook them I either steam them or roast them with the meat/poultry my husband likes.  My husband wants his meat; at least I've kept him to poultry/fish, or pork-loin (rarely do we buy red meats any more).

I sleep better; have greater energy when I eat 90% vegetarian - my skin is always brighter as well.

I like to make deviled eggs, so I often put the eggs in my double-boiler or steamer unit; then vegetables go into the top section - gets 2 things done at once.

I also love those bags for steaming - you can rinse and re-use to save money and avoid putting them into the 'trash' too often.

When/if I boil any vegetable, I save the liquid - chill it and mix with my Vegetable Juice in the morning.  You can also save it and use it for part of your base for soups.

Original Post by evemarie:

When you saute/fry vegetables in a little oil do they lose some nutrients due to the heat? because I know when you boil vegetables like carrots or frozen veg in water, they lose nutrients in to the water but does the same thing happen with frying?

Actually, cooking carrots (and sweet potatoes) bring out more of the Beta Carotene, making them more nutritious.