When you were growing up, how many times did your parents tell you to "eat your greens"? Uncountable, no doubt.
Now that you're grown and have children of your own, you know how your parents felt.
When it comes to vegetables, children will cringe, sulk, cry; hide them under the carpet; sneak them to the dog; but they won't eat them without a fight.
How do we get out children to eat their greens? Buy them fresh, serve them steamed and eat every vegetable we put on our own plates.
Why should we go to this trouble, rather than just leave the vegetable arguments out of our lives? Because they're good for you, that's why.
There were good for you when you were a kid and they're still good for you now.
Vegetables are loaded with all kinds of things that keep us going strong and are key ingredients to prevention of a large number of infections and diseases.
Phytochemicals can be found in many fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, tomatoes, garlic, citrus fruit, some berries, soy, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, chilies and artichokes.
They can even be found in cocoa (but don't tell kids or they'll want chocolate for dinner).
They can help our bodies fight against diseases such as various forms of cancer, arthritis, glaucoma, thyroid problems and even Alzheimer's, while simultaneously building our immune systems.
Good stuff.
Phytochemicals come in almost as many varieties as they do fruits and vegetables.
Some phytochemicals are lycopene, isoflavones, vitamin C, selenium, monoterpenes, beta carotene, limonene, saponins, catechins, lutein, capsaicin, omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, protein, ferulic acid and oxalic acid.
If most of these sound unfamiliar, here's one more that probably won't: antioxidants.
Antioxidants have received a lot of good press over the past several years, and with good reason.
They offer considerable defense against oxidation reactions which can create free radicals which, in turn, can cause cell damage.
Antioxidants are central to maintaining our health and particularly beneficial in helping us prevent strokes, heart disease and cancer.
What it all comes down to is this: all vegetables are good food; some are even super food.
Eat at least five portions of them every day and bask in the glow of your own good health.
If you have any questions about vegetables, phytochemicls, antioxidants or how to get the right balance of fruits and vegetables into your diet, contact your chiropractor.
Chiropractors are trained nutritionists who will be happy to assist you in designing a healthy diet for you and your children.