Fitday Question/WHY???

[Promise]

i notice on FITDAY it shows Different Percentages for Frozen or Fresh Broccoli & Cauliflower... ANYONE KNOW WHY??? this is Without Butter or Anything...

Broccoli 1 Cup - Fresh = 27 Calories, 5 Carbs, 3 Protein
Broccoli 1 Cup - Frozen = 41 Calories, 7 Carbs, 4 Protein

Cauliflower 1 Cup - Fresh = 25 Calories, 5 Carbs, 2 Protein
Cauliflower 1 Cup - Frozen = 32 Calories, 6 Carbs, 3 Protein

[Elizellen]

I am not sure but it might be because frozen veggies are more sort of 'squished' together so maybe you can get more into a cup?
A bit like the diference between fresh and cooked veggies.

[woodym]

Fitday uses the USDA nutrition database, so if you want more comprehensive information about these foods you might want to go to http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=5720 and download their very nice little free program and database.

Elizabeth's suspicion turns out to be validated by the numbers there:
I looked up fresh and frozen broccoli, and the sample weight of what a "cup of broccoli" weighs is 91 grams for fresh, and 156 grams for frozen. I suppose the process of blanching and chopping and freezing results in a denser product.

When all is said and done, using "cups" as a measure of nonliquids has too much wiggle room for variables like air space --- it's far more precise to use weights. There are very nice digital scales out there for about $30.

w.

[ValidRouge]

Before a veggie can be frozen, it has to be cooked a bit. This is called blanching or parboiling. This causes the veggie to stop ripening/rotting. It also causes the vegetable to reduce in size, so MORE of the veggie will fit into a "cup" partially cooked than completely raw.