The Vegetable Wars

[Josh Zimmer]

Licensed Acupuncturist Josh Zimmer, AP
Harmony Health Acupuncture and Herbs: www.harmonyhealthsrq.com

There's a vegetable war out there and Americans are losing it.

A recent article in the New York Times highlighted the ongoing challenge - you could call it the losing battle - our society faces in adding more health-promoting vegetables to the lousy American diet.

Let's come to our senses. Eating french fries doesn't count.

Vegetables provides us with essential minerals and phytonutrients that help protect our cells against all kinds of damage, such as pollution. In Chinese Medicine, which I practice, vegetables have unique organ associations and innate temperatures that help balance our bodies.

The article makes several good points about our poor habits:

- People view vegetables as a "pain": time-consuming to prepare and a challenge to make tasty
- Fruit is easier to eat
- They're relatively expensive compared to other foods.
- Many don't consider vegetables to be comfort food.

Most Americans want everything quick, including our meals, experts point out. But this fast-food attitude carries a high price to our overall health.