Who likes tomatoes? As a kid, you couldn’t get me to eat one, and honestly – have not even tried as an adult. That is thing when you have SED (Selective Eating Disorder) … no bribe or amount of hunger, or logic can make you try something that cause such anxiety. There are a lot of foods that freak me out. Yes, tomatoes are high on the list. Just looking at one makes me nauseated. I do not eat pizza or spaghetti sauce or pasta sauce or salsa or anything of the like. I definitely do not like ketchup. I can’t even stand the smell of ketchup. The only way I get the resemblance of a tomato in me is by eating Hormel Chili. Seriously, that is it. Up until now, I’ve known they were important and healthy – but not enough to motivate me to try them.
But get this. The tomato is rich in lycopene, flavonoids and other phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic properties. They are an excellent source of vitamin C (the vitamin C is most concentrated in the jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds). They also contain vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, potassium and phosphorus. A tomato grown in a hothouse has half the vitamin C content as a vine-ripened tomato. I actually did not know that until a friend posted about it on Facebook.
Also, my husband planted a tomato plant in a pot in our back yard, and it has gone hog wild crazy. The thing is huge and producing little cherry tomatoes. My daughter loves them. I see them and think to myself, I really should pluck one of those babies and pop it in my mouth. I have not the courage, not yet. My 9 year old son picked one and threw it in his mouth like it was candy. I am so jealous of that. Alas, not I. Not yet, anyway.
So, NOW will I try a tomato? I don’t know. But maybe if enough people bug me about it – I will. We shall see.
As always, make champion choices,
Debra
The Healthy Habit Lady 