What is the difference between a veggie and a fruit

Some fruits produce only one seed, like an avocado or cherry. Other fruits produce hundreds of seeds, like a tomato or banana. Nuts that are in their shells, such as acorns or almonds, are considered fruits as are the cereal grains. Some spices, like vanilla bean, are also fruits. Some definitions classify a vegetable as any plant part that is edible, which means even the fruit is technically a vegetable. The most controversial example of misclassified produce is the tomato —is it a fruit or a vegetable?

Most of us would call tomatoes a vegetable because you grow them in a vegetable garden with potatoes , lettuce , and carrots which are vegetables. Legally in the United States, since a court ruling in , tomatoes are considered to be vegetables. But, scientifically, tomatoes are actually fruits. Here are a few more facts about fruits and veggies that might make you rethink a few things.

From a culinary standpoint, fruits and vegetables are separated based on taste: fruits are sweet or sour, and vegetables are more mild and savory. Fruits make great garnishes, desserts, or juices, while vegetables are a hearty side dish or base for the main course. Nutritionally, the only large generalization that can be made is that sweet fruits tend to be higher in natural sugars.

Similarly, candied yams are a baked dish containing yams, another type of edible tuber. Other vegetables with a naturally sweeter flavor include beets, carrots, rutabagas and turnips.

Fruits and vegetables are also naturally low in sodium and fat 2. As you might expect given their sweet taste, fruits tend to have a higher amount of natural sugar and calories compared to most varieties of vegetables. One cup of apples, for example, contains 65 calories and 13 grams of sugar, while one cup of broccoli has just 31 calories and 2 grams of sugar 3 , 4.

Compared to vegetables, some types of fruits may also contain more fiber per gram. The fiber content per grams for fruit ranges from 2—15 grams, while leafy vegetables supply 1. The water content is also highly variable. There are some nutrient differences among different categories of fruits and vegetables, as well. Here are few nutrition highlights:. Fruit is higher in sugar and calories than vegetables, but both fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Specific types of fruits and vegetables provide different nutrients. There is a good amount of research documenting the many benefits of fruit and vegetable intake on health.

Several studies have found that eating more fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease 12 , 13 , Because fruits and vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber, they could even help keep your weight under control. One study followed , people over a year span. It showed that when people increased their intake of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, their weight tended to decrease Increasing your fiber intake through fruits and vegetables may even reduce your risk of cancer.

Multiple studies have found that higher fruit and vegetable consumption is linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer 17 , Finally, fruit and vegetable intake may benefit your blood sugar. The fiber from these foods slows the absorption of sugar, which can keep blood sugar levels steady. One study showed that an increase in fruit and vegetable intake can actually lead to a reduction in the development of diabetes Note that these results applied to fruits and vegetables, but not fruit juice.

Brief explanation: the seeds technically achenes of a strawberry are embedded on its exterior, while a true berry has its seeds inside the pulpy flesh. Which makes bananas berries. Same goes for cucumbers and zucchinis. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up.

Words at Play Fruit vs. Vegetable Eat your vegetables. Wait, that's not a vegetable. More Words At Play. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Nov.