Scientifically considered a fruit, tomatoes are much more similar to a vegetable both in terms of their nutrient profile and culinary usage.

Scientifically considered a fruit, tomatoes are much more similar to a vegetable both in terms of their nutrient profile and culinary usage. Tomatoes are similar to many vegetables in the sense they provide dietary fibre for almost no calories ( ~75 grams of tomato being 1 gram of fibre, 15 cals) and share both fruit and vegetables unique capacity to contain multiple families of beneficial antioxidant compounds.

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They are rich in a wide array of important nutrients including potassium, folate and Vitamins C & K, with potassium being the mineral that is the most likely among them to be under consumed at the population level. What makes tomatoes truly unique, however, is that they are among the richest sources of the dietary antioxidant known as lycopene – which may be uniquely protective against prostate cancer. Often seeing your local family physician for a referral to registered dietitian, nutritionist or who have available appointments to treat conditions, symptoms of  in conjunction with Smart Food Now. 

  A medium sized tomato has only 22 calories meaning it contributes negligibly to your daily caloric intake but does offer up 1.5 grams of fibre, meaning it can make a meaningful contribution to the fullness and satiation in meals which they are included. Dr. Scott Bently, MD, Family Physician and Sarah Ware, RD, Registered Dietician, talk about the health benefits of tomatoes in relation to weight management.