# Why was spinach once considered the ultimate vegetable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [May 31, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878 "2006-05-31T14:59:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![welby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/1 "2006-05-31T14:59:43Z")
Well, we know the answer to that, but what I want to know is this: What IS the ultimate vegetable, nutrient-wise? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/2 "2006-05-31T15:13:53Z")
This is anecdotal, but it points toward one vegetable. Television news guy John Chancellor took a couple years off at one time in his career. He holed up in a flat in Paris, living on little more than baked potatoes and books. He claimed the potato is a nearly perfect food, but he may not have been an authority on the subject. (He did not claim to have eaten the books, btw.) ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/3 "2006-05-31T16:06:45Z")
[Link to column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_120.html) And here are nutrition data for [raw spinach](http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-B00001-01c20gM.html) (which I prefer over the mush you get when you “[boil] the daylights out of the stuff”) and [baked potato](http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-B00001-01c20ig.html). The vitamin deficiencies and excesses in these two vegetables seem to complement each other well, but I don’t doubt that a diet of mostly baked potatoes could sustain life for a couple years. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/4 "2006-05-31T16:20:59Z")
[QUOTE=biqu] (which I prefer over the mush you get when you “[boil] the daylights out of the stuff”) [/QUOTE] So Unca Cece knows that you don’t _have_ to have it boiled to mush (which the writer may well have had in mind). It can be eaten fresh, in leaves like lettuce. So, what does he mean that it “rates pretty high on the yukky scale”? What’s so bad about leaf spinach? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/5 "2006-05-31T17:17:33Z")
I’ve heard that cabbage produces the most nutritional value per cultivated acre, which explains why it’s a staple food among the poor in so many areas of the world. But that reflects not only on its concentration of vitamins etc. (which is in fact pretty high), but also on how densly and quickly it grows. The other cruciform vegitables (broccoli, cauliflour, Brussels sprouts, and kale, incidentally all actually the same species) are also very good, as is most any strongly-colored vegetable (which includes spinach, but from what I understand, dandelion is actually healthier). ---
**Author:** ![welby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/6 "2006-05-31T17:43:17Z")
Taters and spinach? I could get by on that diet, assuming the occasional steak could be tossed in for good measure. Thanks for all the answers! ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/7 "2006-05-31T18:01:34Z")
[QUOTE=welby] Taters and spinach? I could get by on that diet, assuming the occasional steak could be tossed in for good measure. Thanks for all the answers! [/QUOTE] Ya. Spinach = yum. Raw, boiled, wilted, steamed, creamed, whatever. Taters = yum. RR ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/8 "2006-05-31T18:04:16Z")
I always thought it was the Sweet potato. Not a fave of mine, however. > **[Buy Daily Multivitamins & Supplements Online](https://whfoods.com/vitamins/multivitamins/)** > > Ensure daily health with multivitamins. Our range of tablets, capsules, and gummies boosts energy, mood, and immunity for balanced nutrition. The Yukon Gold potato is better for you than the Idaho. Tastier, too. > **[Products](https://www.melissas.com/collections/all?info=yes&product_ID=417#erid5722517)** > > Buy fresh produce online from Melissa’s Produce. Shop organic fruits and vegetables, tropical & exotic produce, and luxury fruit gifts with nationwide delivery. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/9 "2006-05-31T19:53:12Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] I always thought it was the Sweet potatoQUOTE] Perhaps that’s the _real_ reason why Popeye always said “I _yam_ what I _yam_?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/10 "2006-05-31T20:16:08Z")
I either eat spinach raw, or quickly sauteed in olive oil with garlic. There is nothing that can’t be improved by the application of sufficient olive oil and garlic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/11 "2006-05-31T21:01:31Z")
[QUOTE=biqu] The vitamin deficiencies and excesses in these two vegetables seem to complement each other well, but I don’t doubt that a diet of mostly baked potatoes could sustain life for a couple years. [/QUOTE] I don’t know about you but I prefer my potatoes completely baked. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/12 "2006-06-01T02:25:56Z")
> [@](#): > > What IS the ultimate vegetable, nutrient-wise? It’s called Centrum. Well, actually, it lacks calcium, magnesium, potassium, and some other stuff. But anyway, in this day and age, it is rather primitive to be trying to forage your micronutrients from plants. Any ideas on what is the ultimate supplement? ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/13 "2006-06-01T04:12:53Z")
I have to say, I’m with Cecil on the “spinach is gross” side, at least when it’s cooked into mush, but when I was in the hospital recovering from my lifesaving fix-the-botched-appendectomy surgery, the best meal I had was the creamed spinach soup. I couldn’t believe how great it tasted. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/14 "2006-06-01T04:27:29Z")
I love spinach. When I was a kid, I loved canned spinach. Nowadays, I prefer it raw in salads, on top of pizza (with feta!) and in Italian wedding soup. Mmmmm…Italian wedding soup. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/15 "2006-06-01T11:51:55Z")
I have always loved spinach, canned or fresh salad with pieces of hard boiled egg. Try cooked spinach flavoured with HP sauce. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/16 "2006-06-02T08:25:55Z")
Hm, there’s this thing that they grow in Russia (from which I emmigrated) that’s a lot like spinach but is sour. The sourness sure gives it a lot more flavor, and you can make soups with it or use it in salads. Anyone know what it’s called? I wanna try buying it. (In russian, btw, it’s called schevel, with the l being soft… a sound you don’t see in english). ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/17 "2006-06-02T09:09:27Z")
[QUOTE=Alex\_Dubinsky] Hm, there’s this thing that they grow in Russia (from which I emmigrated) that’s a lot like spinach but is sour. The sourness sure gives it a lot more flavor, and you can make soups with it or use it in salads. Anyone know what it’s called? I wanna try buying it. (In russian, btw, it’s called schevel, with the l being soft… a sound you don’t see in english). [/QUOTE] Sorrel, or [schav](http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/non-regional/jewish/schav-borscht1.html) ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/18 "2006-06-02T14:05:53Z")
[QUOTE=Bill Door] There is nothing that can’t be improved by the application of sufficient olive oil and garlic. [/QUOTE] Creme brulee? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/19 "2006-06-05T14:36:36Z")
Mmmmmmm, garlic creme brulee. Mmmmmmmmmmm, ice creamed spinach. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878/20 "2006-06-07T13:17:52Z")
[QUOTE=welby] Taters and spinach? I could get by on that diet, assuming the occasional steak could be tossed in for good measure. Thanks for all the answers! [/QUOTE] What’s _taters_, precious? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-spinach-once-considered-the-ultimate-vegetable/358878.md?page=2)