Five a day Revisited

Submitted by: Janel D. Smith

My mom always told me that I grew up in the back room of a drug store. My father owned a drug store back when a drug store's main purpose was to dispense prescriptions, and I spent a lot of time there as a child. Our drugstore was a wonderful place. Besides prescription drugs, it sold over-the-counter nostrums, gift items, candy (both penny candy and boxed chocolates), school supplies, makeup, and dozens of other things my dad called sundries. One of the main features was a soda fountain with soup, sandwiches, pie, and yummy fountain drinks and ice cream concoctions.

My dad had a motto: "Try the drugstore first!" I grew up believing that almost everything anyone needed could be found in the drugstore--except vegetables. My mom always made sure we had plenty of vegetables to eat, and the more I learn about nutrition, the more I appreciate her foresight. She knew fruits and vegetable were good for us, even before science had identified the protective actions of beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Unfortunately, many people read that beta carotene or vitamin E may help prevent heart disease or cancer and decide to forego the natural package the vitamins come wrapped in--the fruits and veggies--and follow my father's advice instead, "Try the drugstore first!" When they decide to get their vitamins from supplements, they are short changing themselves in many ways. They miss the pleasure of biting into a juicy peach or crunching a crisp carrot. Perhaps more importantly, they miss getting the myriad of other vital substances that give us even more protection against cancer and heart disease, and you won't find them in the supplement section of the drug store.

If you are looking for new ways to fix fruits or vegetables, listen to KRIC (100.5 FM) in the mornings at 7:49. You will hear wonderful ideas about how to enjoy fruits vegetable form Graham Kerr, sponsored by the American Cancer Institute.

So go ahead, do yourself a favor, and enjoy at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Your health may depend on it!

R News & Notes--November 3, 1998