Dear Reader,

Eating fruits and vegetables is important in maintaining good health. Most health professionals and health promotion organizations recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day (read Food Pyramid -- How much is a serving? for more information on serving size). Alice understands how difficult this is for you to do. The good news is that about half of your requirement can be comprised of fruits (you didn't mention a dislike of these). Juicy oranges, sweet peaches, and tangy kiwis are just a few. There are numerous fruits to choose from that are rich not only in vitamins and minerals, but also in phytochemicals. These are plant substances which may ward off heart disease and certain forms of cancer. Try including fruits at breakfast and for snacks during the day.

As for vegetables, they are just as important for good health. Why not incorporate vegetables into other foods? Alice is not suggesting that you disguise them in your foods, as some parents do when their kids don't eat their veggies. Try some of these ideas, or perhaps come up with your own:

• Make omelets with tomatoes, peppers, and/or mushrooms.
• Add broccoli to your pizza.
• Add chopped spinach to turkey burgers or meatloaf.
• Mix chopped carrot and celery to tuna or chicken salad.
• Choose soups rich in vegetables, such as Minestrone or Gumbo.
• Add peas, carrots, and/or zucchini to rice pilaf.

Sweeter vegetables may be more tolerable to you. To try eating some individual vegetables, start with baby carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn. All of these are nutritious and have a good amount of fiber.

It's difficult to "force" yourself into liking a specific food. You can choose from a variety of vegetable options. Keep an open mind (and mouth), and perhaps you will come to enjoy some of these foods.

Alice

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