IS THERE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN NUTRITION BETWEEN YELLOW SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI?
For the most part, you’re getting similar nutrients whether you choose the generally green-skinned zucchini or the generally yellow-skinned crookneck or straight-neck squash. Both are very low in calories (20-25 calories in a cup of raw slices). And both are good sources of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, potassium and manganese. Yellow squash is generally higher in copper. Zucchini offers more Vitamin K and riboflavin and is chock-full of three carotenoids: beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. For example, a cup of sliced, boiled yellow squash has 175 micrograms of beta carotene and 570 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin. The same amount of zucchini has 1,200 micrograms of beta carotene and 2,070 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness. Beta carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the body, which plays an important role for many functions: vision, b
