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Nutrition · News, made simple

Could Fruit and Veggie Scraps Help Your Health?

Learn how the peels, skins, stalks, and seeds you usually toss in the trash might actually be good for you.

HealthStylz Editors
· 2 min read

Photo: Antoni Shkraba

The short version

  • Most people throw away veggie scraps.
  • New research highlights hidden dietary fiber.
  • Scraps help health and the planet.

Based on reporting by Medical Xpress. We explain it in plain words; read the original for the full story.

Nutrition facts

Everyday foods that fit this story One normal serving of each.

Fiber per serving

  1. Apple1 medium (182 g)4.4 g
  2. Orange1 orange, 2 5/8 in (131 g)3.1 g
  3. Tomato1 medium (123 g)1.5 g
  4. Carrots1 cup chopped (128 g)3.6 g
  5. Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)2.4 g

Protein per serving

  1. Apple1 medium (182 g)0.5 g
  2. Orange1 orange, 2 5/8 in (131 g)1.2 g
  3. Tomato1 medium (123 g)1.1 g
  4. Carrots1 cup chopped (128 g)1.2 g
  5. Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)2.6 g

Calories per serving

  1. Apple1 medium (182 g)94.6 cal
  2. Orange1 orange, 2 5/8 in (131 g)61.6 cal
  3. Tomato1 medium (123 g)22.1 cal
  4. Carrots1 cup chopped (128 g)52.5 cal
  5. Broccoli1 cup chopped (91 g)30.9 cal

Source: USDA FoodData Central.

Hello, friend. At mealtime, many of us toss out parts of our food without a second thought. It is easy to throw away the outer pieces.

What's new

Most of us routinely discard the peels, skins, stalks and seeds of fruits and vegetables at mealtime. One new study from King's College London suggests these scraps could be a valuable and overlooked source of dietary fiber, offering potential benefits for both public health and the environment.

What it means for you

This news shows us that parts of food we usually waste might actually help our bodies and our planet. It is a gentle reminder to look closely at what goes into the trash can.

One small thing to try

Next time you prepare a meal, pause before you toss the outer parts of your fresh produce. Think about how those pieces might be used.

Where this comes from