A recent article in the New York Times got me to thinking…about vegetables.
What is it about vegetables that cause many of us to turn up our noses…and then go eat the leftover donuts instead?
From the ‘Times…
“Despite two decades of public health initiatives, stricter government dietary guidelines, record growth of farmers’ markets and the ease of products like salad in a bag, Americans still aren’t eating enough vegetables.”
Not surprising. I don’t know about you, but no public health initiative has ever gained much traction with me. Witness the horribly problematic Food Pyramid as a prime example.
I don’t think the problem is education. We all know that vegetables are good for us.
I think it’s mostly an ease of use and accessibility issue.
Take the humble sweet potato, for example. It’s one of those powerhouse vegetables you rarely hear about…except at Thanksgiving. You’re not just going to grab one and start gnawing on the thing, caveman style. Plus there’s the whole public spectacle of eating a raw sweet potato. You’d be ostracized…labeled a “tree-hugger”…forced to live in a commune!
No…you have to either microwave it for 7-9 minutes, or boil it up for 30. And, for God’s sake, who can spare 7 minutes these days?! Far easier to just mash a bagel in your face as you run out the door, late for work/school/basket weaving/etc.
The Taste Factor: Veggies Just Don’t Taste Good!
In a completely randomized and highly scientific study…two foods were placed in front of a test subject (me) to determine taste preference. Food group “A” consisted of a single carrot. Food group “B”: a Twinkie.
Upon sampling food group “A” test subject immediately vomited, then inhaled sample from food group “B” to rid himself of the awful taste of sample “A.”
Maybe an extreme example (I despise carrots,) but I think this is the case with many of us. On balance, and by comparison with every other food choice we have, veggies just don’t stack up real well.
The Marketing Angle: Sponge Bob Doesn’t Sell Sweet Potatoes
When was the last time you saw a commercial for the sweet potato during your favorite TV show? Ever seen one of those crazy, kid-friendly cartoon characters (think Sponge Bob or the Lucky Charms dude) shill for a sweet potato?
How about…never? Why? Because the sweet potato doesn’t have the deep pockets, my friends. He’s can’t pay for the big advertising campaigns. He’s strictly blue-collar.
OK…so the deck is stacked against our pal the sweet potato…
What to do?
Well, if you’re serious about upping the veggie intake, you rid your home of everything similar to the sample from Food Group “B” above. The temptation is too great if you have it around.
Then you make healthier, veggie-loaded food in bulk, and save in the ‘fridge or freezer for later. That way you always have some at the ready.
One of my favorites these days is a dead-simple, no-name, paleo-style (aff. link) stew that I created just for this purpose. I wouldn’t call it a culinary masterpiece — in fact some (my loving wife, for one) may think it’s downright nasty — but it works fine for my unrefined palate.
No-Name Paleo Stew
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 bag frozen onions
2-3 lbs. ground beef
3 green (or red/orange/yellow) peppers, diced
48 oz. (roughly) of water
3 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (Revenge of the sweet potato!)
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 bunch of celery, chopped into 1 inch slices
Heat up the EVOO in a large pot, then add the onions. Heat onions until they start to brown then add the meat and peppers. Heat until meat is browned and peppers are tender, then drain off excess fat. Add the water, sweet potatoes and curry and heat until boiling. Boil for 30 minutes or so until sweet potatoes are tender. Add in the celery at about 25 minutes.
I’m open for suggestions on adding spices, because I think it needs some help in that department.
Now I think I’m in the mood for a sweet potato.
- Mike
Tags: fitness, health, life wellness, nutrition, paleo, paleo diet, vital wellness, wellness
