８月31日 【野菜の日とは？】野菜の栄養効果・注意点・雑学まで徹底解説

Good morning.
Today, August 31, is “Vegetable Day.”

This anniversary was established in 1983 by nine organizations, including the National Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Traders Associations. The date was chosen because of the wordplay ya (8) – sa (3) – i (1), which spells out “yasai” (vegetables).

It’s a day created with the wish: “Let’s get people to eat more vegetables!”
So today, in celebration of Vegetable Day, let’s explore the charm of vegetables, their pros and cons, and some fun trivia.

Vegetables are a nutritional treasure, allowing us to eat various parts of plants—leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and fruits.
Cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, broccoli—these are indispensable to our daily meals.

They’re rich in water, low in calories, yet packed with nutrients. Truly powerful allies for both health and beauty.

• Nutrient Supply: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep the body balanced.
• Lower Risk of Lifestyle Diseases: May help prevent heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
• Boosted Immunity: Vitamin C and beta-carotene help protect the body.
• Improved Digestion: Fiber keeps your gut healthy and regular.
• Prevents Overeating: Low in calories but high in satiety—great for dieting.
• Prevents High Blood Pressure: Potassium helps flush out excess sodium.

• Hard to Digest: Eating too many raw vegetables can cause stomach pain or diarrhea, especially for those with weak digestion.
• Risk of Hyperkalemia: People with kidney disease should be cautious with potassium intake from vegetables.
• Nutrient Loss: Vitamin C is sensitive to heat and may decrease depending on the cooking method.
• Nutritional Imbalance: Eating only vegetables without protein may reduce muscle mass.

Goya Champuru (Bitter Melon Stir-Fry)
Nutrients: Vitamin C, fiber, protein (tofu & eggs)
Point: The bitterness of goya helps prevent summer fatigue. Adding tofu and eggs makes it well-balanced.

Chilled Tomato & Tofu Salad
Nutrients: Lycopene, isoflavones, protein
How to: Simply drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt over chilled tomatoes and tofu.
Point: A refreshing dish with no need for cooking.

Cucumber & Wakame Vinegared Salad
Nutrients: Potassium, fiber, minerals
Point: Citric acid helps relieve fatigue—perfect when you don’t have much appetite.

Summer Vegetable Curry (Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomato, Bell Pepper, etc.)
Nutrients: Vitamins A, C, E, and polyphenols
Point: The spices boost metabolism—ideal for combating summer fatigue.

• 🍅 Is a tomato a “vegetable” or a “fruit”?
• → In Japan it’s classified as a vegetable, but in the West, it’s often considered a fruit.
• 🥕 The Secret of Carrot Colors
• → Long ago, purple and white carrots were common. Today’s orange carrots are the result of selective breeding.
• 🥦 Broccoli: Eating Flower Buds
• → What we eat is actually the flower bud before it blooms.
• 🌱 Nozawana Pickles – A Unique Japanese Food Culture
• → Pickling leafy greens like nozawana is rare outside Japan, making it unique to Japanese cuisine.

Vegetables are essential foods that support our bodies.
They’re not just something we eat “for health,” but also a way to enjoy seasonal flavors, bring color to our meals, and enrich our cooking.

On August 31, “Vegetable Day,” why not take the opportunity to add one more vegetable dish to your table today?

There are many direct-to-consumer vegetable stores out there, but if you’re particular about pesticide-free produce, Millet is the one.

1. Freshness and Trusted Farm-to-Table Delivery

Millet partners with trusted local farmers in Tako Town, Katori District, Chiba Prefecture, building transparent relationships. They offer pesticide-free and organically grown vegetables that you can trust.

Harvesting is done upon order, and shipments are made the same day or within 1–2 days, delivering peak freshness directly to your home.

2. Safe and Reliable Farming Standards

Only organic JAS-certified, pesticide-free, or specially cultivated produce with 50% or less chemical use is handled. Safety and quality are top priorities.

Each item clearly displays farming methods and producer information, offering peace of mind and trust.

3. Wide Selection and Convenience

Beyond vegetables, Millet offers fruits, rice, eggs, meat, fish, and processed foods like ready-made meals, bread, and seasonings — totaling around 1,000 items.

Subscription plans include options like the “Plentiful Vegetable + Fruit Set (14–16 items)” and the “Seasonal Vegetable Set (12–14 items),” allowing families to choose what fits their needs.

4. Flexible Subscription Options

You can freely adjust delivery frequency (every 1 to 4 weeks), pause shipments, skip weeks, or change your schedule — easily adapting to your lifestyle.

5. Affordable Trial Set for First-Time Users

No membership required — Millet offers a “trial set” with 7 types of vegetables plus items like eggs or meat at a great value.

They often run special prices and campaigns, making it easy for newcomers to try.

6. Highly Rated by Users and Trusted by Many

Users frequently praise Millet for its fresh, soil-covered vegetables and rich flavor.

Its transparency, flexibility, and reliable quality control are highly rated. Some mention minor blemishes or insect bites, but these are often seen as natural proof of truly pesticide-free produce — part of its authentic charm.