# Do you still follow the eat one white and one green vegetable rule for yourself and kids? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 3, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174 "2013-02-03T01:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/21 "2013-02-03T09:47:30Z")
I’ve never heard of it. I eat everything that’s available. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/22 "2013-02-03T10:18:00Z")
Never heard of this rule, but I’ve always liked vegetables so it was never an issue. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/23 "2013-02-03T10:44:07Z")
I should have included a never heard of it option in the poll. Sorry, that was my mistake. I thought it was common knowledge that a starch and green veg was recommended per meal. It probably came from the old FDA food pyramid, but I’m not sure. Anyhow, it’s all about a balanced daily diet. My mom just simplified it to white/green so my 8 year old self knew what to get at the buffet or cafeteria line. Rainbow seems to be the current word and I agree it’s a good way to emphasize balance in what someone eats. Fruit was a snack in my house. Mom always kept a bowl of apples and oranges on the dining table. We always had a banana with breakfast. We got fresh peaches, strawberries, and cantaloupe when they were in season. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/24 "2013-02-03T11:44:45Z")
Good lord, no. If there’s one thing my kids do not need encouragement to eat, it’s starches! They spend all day snacking on starchy crap (although these days it’s mostly whole grain starchy crap, but still: multigrain crackers and brown rice cakes and wholegrain bread for pb&j and cereal…most of the food in our lives seems to be starch based), so I’m not in the least concerned that they have another starch at dinner. Looking at the nutritional data of a [potato](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2770/2), it’s not really fair to call it a “vegetable”, is it? It is, botanically, of course, but it’s nutrient profile is much closer to [rice](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5712/2)than to [green beans](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2341/2), and that’s before any of the heinous nutritional crimes we inflict on potatoes while cooking them are factored into it. [Carrots](http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2383/2), though, I’d consider a vegetable. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t. Sure, they have a lot of carbs, but [most of those are sugars, not starches](http://www.livestrong.com/article/544185-do-carrots-have-starch/). But what I’d really like to know more about is how “mac & cheese” got on your list of acceptable “white vegetables” as a kid. I’d like to sign up for that diet plan, please! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/25 "2013-02-03T11:59:47Z")
I’ve never heard this rule before, but the simplest way to follow it is to cook a broccoli-cauliflower mix such as is readily available in the frozen section of a grocery store. I have heard the advise to eat a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables, and follow that advise to an extent. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/26 "2013-02-03T12:50:45Z")
Where’s the “Never heard of this ‘rule’” option? Can’t vote. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/27 "2013-02-03T13:04:40Z")
Another vote for “Never heard of it”. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/28 "2013-02-03T13:06:38Z")
Growing up my parents had no concern for nutrition. It was all about what would fill us up for cheapest. Today for me, wife, and kids we try to eat mainly vegetables and lean meats. Even avoiding starches we get too many. We almost never eat potatoes since I dislike them. These days ideas about nutrition have changed. I don’t think many people seek out super starchy foods as supporting optimal nutrition. It is a good idea for bargaining with kids to make better choices, if they want mac’n’cheese they have to eat an equal portion of broccoli. At home just don’t give them the option. Though some kids are underweight and need things like that. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/29 "2013-02-03T13:44:00Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My mom always insisted that I order one white and one green side dish anytime we ate out. I have honestly never heard this before. When we were kids if someone told us we’d have to order “one green” and “one white” we’d say “we can’t have more?” For some reason mom never had too much trouble getting us to eat the vegees along with the meat. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/30 "2013-02-03T14:25:31Z")
Never heard of this rule, but my mom’s rules for meals was one meat, one starch, two veggies. Not a hard and fast rule, but almost every meal she prepared followed that plan, and she never had trouble getting us to eat veggies. What she didn’t do at home was serve bread or rolls in a meal that included potatoes. Now this is common in restaurant meals, but we ate out infrequently. My husband, though, was practically raised in a restaurant, and he preferred that pattern. So heads got butted a bit when I’d prepare a meal and not include rolls. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/31 "2013-02-03T15:46:19Z")
Another thread that makes me appreciate my parents more. Fuck no, we did not have this rule; we did not have rules about food or damn near anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/32 "2013-02-03T15:55:07Z")
Never for myself, because white starch is never required. Never growing up, because my parents also understood that white starch is never required. The were whole foods eatin’, own-baby-food makin’, local farmer shoppin’, eat-less-red-meat practicin’, the phrase “empty calories” usin’ types before it was cool. Also, we were required to TRY things, but never forced to eat an entire serving if we tried it. My parents didn’t force food. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/33 "2013-02-03T15:55:10Z")
Never heard of the rule. My dad would get after me if breakfast and lunch had passed and I still hadn’t eaten anything green, though. There’d definitely be emphasis on the green vegetable at dinner then. My daughter is a fruit and vegetable lover (she’s almost two) and I worry more about her getting enough calorie-dense foods, since she’s slender. Daycare reports that she usually just has fruit and vegetables and milk for meals there. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/34 "2013-02-03T16:32:14Z")
Never followed this “rule” because I also never heard of it. We never worried too much about individual meals, as the variety served over the course of a week was sufficient. Eating out was a treat, and was not done often enough to have any real effect on our nutritional profiles. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/35 "2013-02-03T16:44:36Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Where’s the “Never heard of this ‘rule’” option? > > Can’t vote. same here ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/36 "2013-02-03T16:47:14Z")
Never heard it before. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/37 "2013-02-03T17:53:27Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Another thread that makes me appreciate my parents more. Fuck no, we did not have this rule; we did not have rules about food or damn near anything else. So you grew up in a situation of complete anything-goes anarchy, and consider that ideal? I never considered it oppressive or burdensome when Mom insisted I take a celery stick along with all the hot dogs and potato chips and deviled eggs I ate at the church picnic. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/38 "2013-02-03T18:03:09Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But what I’d really like to know more about is how “mac & cheese” got on your list of acceptable “white vegetables” as a kid. I’d like to sign up for that diet plan, please! 😃 If ketchup can be a “vegetable,” why not mac & cheese? In Chinese, they use the word for vegetable, _cài_, to refer to pretty much any food, that isn’t rice, that goes with rice. Rice is a given, and anything accompanying it is _cài_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/39 "2013-02-03T18:08:29Z")
I never heard of this before, and I hope I never hear of it again. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174/40 "2013-02-03T18:44:54Z")
> [@PandaBear77](#): > > Never even heard of this rule, WTF? +1 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-follow-the-eat-one-white-and-one-green-vegetable-rule-for-yourself-and-kids/649174.md?page=3)