I just read the response to “Am I eating too many fruits.” It’s got me wondering if it is possible to eat to many vegetables? Please say “no” I love my vegetables! 🙂 –Melanie S.
NO. It’s not possible to eat too many vegetables, as long as you have a variety and you’re getting a balanced diet that provides sufficient vitamins and minerals. If by chance your total fiber intake exceeds 50 grams* per day (difficult without a supplement), then the absorption of minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc would be impacted. Even for extreme vegans, fruitarians, or those that only eat “raw” plant foods, consuming an abundance of vegetables can be healthy and well-tolerated.
As in all foods, you can get too much of a good thing. I did say variety! Exclusively eating a ton of one vegetable usually means you’re over-consuming a particular nutrient and not getting enough of other kinds of veggies. For example, eating a pound of carrots daily will likely cause a yellowing of the skin called carotenemia. Just eat vegetables of every color on a regular basis, as described in our Eat a Rainbow article.
* The average American consumes less than 15 grams per day, whereas the recommended goal is 25-30 grams per day.
–Â Debbie J., MS, RD
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