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The reasons for this nutritional void are many and varied, and they are deeply ingrained in our American culture and lifestyle, though it can no longer be attributed to ignorance. What is needed is an educational initiative on the subject, as well as new ways for people to enjoy the benefits of fruits and vegetables. The good news is people can quickly and easily bridge their fruit and vegetable nutritional gap by consuming a super food drink mix. Our poor choices in food must change. Education and the new advances in food technology offer a step in the right direction.

Choosing the Right Green-Food Drink

Quality manufacturers of green-food drink mixes take care to preserve the nutrients naturally found in fruits and vegetables during the various manufacturing processes. These are natural, certified organic, whole foods and they are best consumed as close to their natural environmental state as possible, with as little handling as possible. Always seek products that don't use genetically modified foods and aren't altered using nanotechnology. There are many manufacturing challenges that must be addressed. Heating, for example, is a major concern in manufacturing a green-food product that retains its bioavailability. The manufacturing challenge is to be able to dehydrate the whole foods to stabilize the product without dehydrating it too much, which could "cook" the product. Because of this potential problem, powder drink mixes remain the most widely recommended form of green-food supplement offered by most health care providers.

Even with the many challenges of creating high-quality green foods, the popularity of these superfoods continues to increase as patients experience their vast health advantages. The biggest reason the green-food drink-mix market continues to expand is the fact that when you drink one, you actually feel the difference.

Take Action

The Standard American Diet (SAD) has given rise to an epidemic of obesity, cardiovascular disease, premature aging and cancer. The message of five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables daily has gone unheeded. Education and cultural changes must take place.

The "5-A-Day for Better Health" program, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has made some progress, but changing the eating habits of a nation comes slowly. Gourmet juices, salad bars and the "smoothie" craze are steps in the right direction, but new forms of phytonutrient-dense foods must become mainstays in our diets.

Many doctors today recommend the use of functional foods such as green-food drink mixes that can be included in the dietary fabric of the busy, modern world. People will only eat what they like, so consuming a good-tasting, instant and healthy superfood drink on a daily basis can help bridge the gap between a SAD and an optimal diet. Many doctors have free sample packets available at their office. Be sure to ask your health care provider for a recommendation for you and your family.

Donald L. Hayes, DC, graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 1977 and is the author of five health and wellness books including his latest, Weight Loss to Wellness. To learn more, visit www.greensfirst.com.