Green bean casserole isn’t a vegetable…or is it?

Is Green Bean Casserole Really a Vegetable Side Dish?

Let’s clear the air from the jump. Yes, green beans are a vegetable! However, this isn’t a discussion of whether or not you’re a terrible person or in the wrong for indulging in some green bean casserole for Thanksgiving (or any other meal/holiday for that matter). This is simply a blog post based on my experiences and the expectations I have for myself, and as a nutritionist—as well as the slippery slope of where the line is drawn when you tell yourself you are eating a balanced diet. 

I might as well say I had eggs for breakfast after eating creme brûlée. Is carrot cake a daily dose of veggies or vitamin C?! Where does it end?!... I’m kidding

Point being, when the integrity of the vegetable is compromised by an overwhelming amount of fats and carbs (yes, I know vegetables are in fact a carb, but not all carbs are created equal) I can’t justify that as my lone vegetable for the meal—which is again, my own expectation. 

I expect sautéed green beans. I expect roasted carrots. I may expect a beet salad with arugula or even a bagged Caesar. Those are my expectations of “I’ll bring a vegetable to dinner!” 

That doesn’t mean I disown or turn my nose up to the casserole, it can be family favorite! By no means am I saying that I don’t indulge in a fatty, simple carb filled, nutritionally devoid snack or two every now and then (especially now being pregnant). 

But I have a mother who has engrained the following thought process in me when it comes to full meals: meat, veggie, starch. 

For example: any winter squash is a vegetable, but we consider it a starch. So, we had steak, squash, and plain green beans. This was the set up for my childhood plate. Some nights the starch were more easily identifiable I suppose—noodles, quinoa, rice... but for us vegetables didn’t get dressed up—they just were what they were. So as an adult, that has become what I expect from vegetables, just with a little more seasoning... sorry mom. 

To be fair, I never even had green bean casserole until meeting Ryan and learning it was a must have for Friendsgiving and holiday dinners. At first glance I was totally unsure what it was made of which may contribute to my bias of “where the heck is the vegetable in this dish?”

Aside from my own personal upbringing and personal expectation of food, as a nutritionist green bean casserole and similar dishes would be the starting point in the discussion of “what could you be eating more or less of to achieve your personal nutrition goals.” When working with clients we track food consumption and calories by determining each meals major macro (protein, carbs, fats) and we keep vegetables in a separate category to ensure they are getting in their daily dose of vegetables. You know… as far as that whole food pyramid thing is concerned… 

I’m not a maniac I would never suggest not indulging on days like Thanksgiving and other cherished holidays, but I would suggest that if this is how you’re eating your vegetables more often than not, that habit should be examined if you’re trying to adhere to any nutrition goals. The easiest way to do so; stick with the WHOLE food using additives sparingly. In my opinion, the simplest of foods can have the most complex benefits. 

This was just a fun post sharing my perspective on dishes around the holidays!  If you’re still reading by this point and aren’t totally polarized or offended by my opinion and are interested in getting a jumpstart on your health goals heading into the new year, Ryan and I are here to help! 

I hope you all have an amazing holiday! 

Cheers!

You can email me at brittany.beyondthebarcoaching@gmail.com