All About Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous veggies are some of the best you can eat, but all veggies are good. Learn more about what makes them different!

What Are Cruciferous Vegetables?

Cruciferous vegetables are a group of vegetables from the Brassicaceae family. You're likely more familiar with cruciferous vegetables than you might think. Here is a list of some well-known cruciferous vegetables you may already enjoy consuming:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Arugula
Bok Choy
Collard Greens
Watercress
Kale

Why Are Cruciferous Vegetables So Important?

Cruciferous vegetables are distinct from the Brassicaceae family because of their bitter and pungent qualities. Ironically, many people do not like cruciferous vegetables for that exact reason. Surprisingly, it is precisely the bitter quality that makes this group of vegetables so incredibly valuable to our health. The component responsible for the distinct bitter taste is glucosinolate.

Glucosinolates are unique to cruciferous veggies, and they're natural components the plant releases as a defense mechanism against disease and pests. Consuming foods high in glucosinolates has been found to help prevent cancers of the breast, colon, bladder, and several others. These types of veggies are also great sources of other nutrients, including:

Fiber
Folate
Beta-carotene
Vitamin C, E, and K
Phytochemicals

How To Prepare Cruciferous Vegetables

To ensure you are receiving the most nutrients from cruciferous veggies, it is best to eat them raw after a good wash. Chewing the plant will begin the process of releasing glucosinolate. However, if cooked, the process is delayed until further along the digestion process and some nutrients can be lost this way.

Now, granted, we know that eating raw cruciferous vegetables is easier said than done. Sure, you can sink your cauliflower and broccoli into ranch dip, but that can become boring quickly. So, if cooking your cruciferous vegetables will encourage you to eat more of them, that's a win and it's not like you're losing a whole heck of a lot. They're still great veggies.

Here are 11 of our most delicious recipes, incorporating a variety of cruciferous vegetables in hopes you will see that eating vegetables doesn't have to be bland or boring.