by Pamela Jones

Created on: October 12, 2008

To puree or not to puree.

Which is healthier: Fresh tomatoes or pureed tomatoes?

Pureed tomatoes are a tomato product therefore will still have the nutrients of tomatoes.

Which being better, would therefore depend on which are needed.

If you need pureed tomatoes for a recipe then by all means use them, they are great!

If you believe in fresh tomatoes you may puree your own.

Fresh tomatoes will not have the added sodium that comes in usual processed foods.

Canned tomatoes are available in a "no salt added" variety which can be useful for people that are watching their sodium intake due to healthy diet requirements.

Tomatoes have Vitamin A, B, C, & E, iron, Potassium, Beta Carotene to name a few Nutritional values.

Studies have shown that a diet that includes plenty of tomato products can be protective against prostate cancer.

Some of the Chemical Compounds found in tomatoes boost immunity and help fight diseases like cancer, heart disease, tumors of the colon, cervix, and bladder.

The vitamins in tomatoes help the body build new cells and repair damaged ones, and promote the absorption of dietary iron. It helps eye sight and the common cold.

Vitamins such as B-complex, and C are water soluble; any excess of these are excreted in urine rather than stored in the body. These nutrients can be lost in foods that contain them such as vegetables and fruits that are cooked too long or over too high heat, or too much liquid.

Have your tomatoes in foods like Spaghetti, salsa, sauces, salads, with Mozzarella or eat them like an apple if you want! They are available in Tomato juice, V8 or tomato soup. Cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, pear tomatoes, and beefsteak tomatoes are all from the same family. They differ from the shape but also by the color. We can find them red, yellow or orange.

There are many cooks out there that use canned tomatoes whether in soups, stews, salsa or slow cooked recipes as well as cutting them fresh.

How about that lovely tomato fight that happens in Spain! Tourist travel there just for the tomato fight and celebrate in a food fight festival!

There are also many festivals and celebrations involving tomatoes all over the world!

Books have been written about the tomato. Of course the expected recipe books and TV shows but authors have written about the tomato.

So get your tomatoes however you can, sauces, puree, fresh, canned or dried.

You'll be healthier for it and your Dr. will thank you!

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