Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are usually consumed as part of a healthy diet. Some common examples of vegetables are carrots, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes. Different types of vegetables have different characteristics, such as color, shape, texture, flavor, and cooking methods. In general, they tend to differentiate themselves from grain, which usually has a much longer shelf life and makes up a majority of a person's daily diet. Indeed, vegetables tend not to last very long, and are best consumed fresh.