Eat Your Broccoli

In the supermarket shop only the refrigerated perimeter. Pick only the produce that looks good. Broccoli crowns are always a good choice. They’re already trimmed and as easy as fast food. Cut into flowerets, wash and drop in boiling water for 4 minutes. Rinse in cold water for a healthy dose of nutrients to any meal.

Don’t like broccoli? There are a host of vegetables that can be prepared the same way, or even microwaved, and then used later hot or cold. Cold veggies as well as freshly made or leftover pasta or mashed potatoes are good in salads ,especially for people who aren’t really wild about greenery.

Get artsy and take a few moments to arrange something pretty. At the very least it’ll please one of your senses. Add a little protein like nuts, cheese, shrimp or chicken, or some carbs and if you must slather it all in a favorite dressing. Be cool with the dressing later, your palate needs time to accept new flavors and textures.

Forced or properly motivated, you can get used to anything. Organic food makes long term health sense. I find it hard to pay more for fewer choices, especially when the results may never be apparent. But organic is clearly the way to go with meat since the fat in conventionally raised animals is a storehouse for nasty chemicals.

Yes, we all get a dose of mercury when eating seafood, but it’s high on my list anyway. Heck I used to play with balls of mercury in high school chemistry. It turned silver dimes super slick and shiny and then black. Fun for the feeble minded. Who knew?

Chemical residues are especially high in dairy fats and something to be wary of. I always buy organic dairy product and use much less than I used to before I got smarter (and older). The benefit more than makes up for the extra cost.

Intellect rules. I simply refuse to put my body through an avoidable chemical workout. The more you think about what goes in your mouth, the more appealing nutritious raw foods become. I’ve learned to replace ice cream with sorbet. Growing up I drank 3-5 quarts of milk daily. I can honestly say I’ve had my fill. I still enjoy cheese, but eat much less when I think of it as flavored butter.

For the recreational cyclist, food is the second half of any good healthy ride. Eating well requires the same discipline as the ride itself, and just like an exercise routine -- it takes time to get a handle on. So start small, be kind to yourself, and grow into the food routine.

Eating well is the single best thing you can do for yourself. Once that fact sinks in – and for some of us it takes years -- better food choices are sure to follow. I find that good nutrition evolves out of knowledge. It becomes less about what you eat, and more about what your intellect will no longer allow. When knowing better finally gains the upper hand, you are riding high.

Copyright © 2006 by David Balkin. All rights reserved.

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