Carotenoids in vegetables are good for you, but how much you absorb depends on what you eat with them. Mixing carotenoids with fats like salad dressing helps your body absorb more of them. Processing vegetables can also make carotenoids easier to absorb. Eating a small amount of fat with your veggies can boost carotenoid absorption. However, some fat-soluble compounds can block absorption. Beta-carotene is absorbed better when added to foods as a pure compound rather than naturally in foods. So, if you want to get the most out of your veggies, add some healthy fats and consider how they're prepared.