Do Dried Vegetables Have Nutrients?

Dried vegetables retain all of their calories and many of their nutrients during the dehydration process. Although most vegetables lose their vitamin C content during the blanching and drying stages, dehydrated foods are generally considered more nutritious than canned or frozen alternatives. For best results, pair up your dried vegetable intake with fresh vegetables and fruits to make sure you receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Definition

Dried vegetables are plants and root veggies that have undergone a blanching and dehydration process. Modern dehydration techniques are able to remove 97 to 98 percent of the moisture content of most vegetables, resulting in a highly lightweight and durable foodstuff that can be stored for many years. One of the benefits of dried vegetables is that they contain all of their caloric value while weighing only a fraction of the original volume. For example, 20 pounds of fresh tomatoes can weigh as little as 8 ounces after being dehydrated.

Nutritional Value of Dried Foods

According to the Colorado State University website, iron, fiber and calories remain the same after dehydration. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and other minerals experience some loss during the blanching process, while vitamin A retains most of its original content after being dried. Vitamin C content is mostly destroyed during the process. For optimal nutrient retention, store your dried vegetables in a cool, dark dry place and consume them within a year of dehydrating.

Nutrition Comparisons

Compared to canned and frozen storage methods, which can result in a loss of 60 to 80 percent of nutritional value, dried vegetables offer the best results for nutrient retention. For example, a pound of canned potatoes contains only 200 calories compared to the 1,651 found in a pound of dehydrated potatoes. Similarly, frozen potatoes only contain 5.4 grams of protein, 78 grams of carbohydrates and no vitamin A, compared to 32.7 grams of protein, 381 grams of carbohydrates and 1,250 milligrams contained in a pound of dehydrated potatoes.

Nutritional Safety

Since dried vegetables contain slightly fewer nutrients than fresh vegetables, it is generally recommended that you pair your consumption of dehydrated veggies with fresh ones. Talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes in your diet to ensure that you are receiving all of the necessary minerals and nutrients you need.