DEHYDRATED POWDERS Or FREEZE-DRIED?
“Dried” vegetables are available in several forms based on how they have dried. Like, Dehydrated, freeze-dried, and dehydrated powders. Each one has its distinct advantages and disadvantages. Most people choose more than one type depending on their personal preferences and nutritional needs.
DEHYDRATED VEGETABLES :
Are placed in a dehydrator which circulates heated air to dry them out.  The veggies tend to lose some of their vitamins in the process. They also shrink in size and harden during dehydration. But this process costs less than freeze-drying, which is why it is so much more common than other dried options. It also can be done at home with a countertop dehydrator. These vegetables rehydrate by cooking or soaking in water, but they take some time. You can eat them in soups or add them to your noodles.
FREEZE-DRIED VEGETABLES: use a refrigerated vacuum to pull the moisture out of the vegetables.
This process minimizes the loss of vitamins and minerals. It also keeps the shape, size, and texture of the vegetables intact. And, maybe suitable, if you enjoy eating vegetables for their texture. Because they maintain more of their size, freeze-dried vegetables are not as packable as their dehydrated counterparts. You can eat them directly as a snack or hydrated and added to a hot meal. They pop back to life quickly make them perfect for a hungry hiker.
DEHYDRATED POWDERS :Â
These are “dehydrated vegetables” that have ground up into a fine powder. These are a viable alternative for folks who want the nutrient boost of vegetables without the fuss of having to pack and prepare them. You merely sprinkle the powder over your meals or add them to a smoothie. The powders store easily in a Ziploc bag that takes up minimal room and adds negligible weight to your pack.
Powered vegetables provide many vitamins and minerals, but you lose out on the dietary fiber you’d get from fresh vegetables. Not having fiber makes them easier to digest, though. But, you take care not to overdo it with the powders. Especially those that are high in vitamins that accumulate in your body. Carrot powder, for example, is dense with vitamin A, which can turn your skin a yellow-orange color in high concentrations. While it’s hard to eat enough carrots to cause hypercarotenemia, it’s relatively easy to go overboard with the powder.
