Broccoli, kale and cauliflower, oh my! These superfood veggies are better known as cruciferous vegetables because they fall into the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family. Members of the cruciferous vegetable family also include other veggies like cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts.

Considered super foods for your body, cruciferous vegetables contain vitamins, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals. A variety of components in this veggie family has been known to lower cancer risks.

According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, these vegetables have the ability to stop the growth of cancer cells or help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend against cancer.

Cruciferous vegetables are not only healthy, they're portable, too! If you're not eating enough vegetables, it's never to late to start.

You can purchase these cruciferous vegetables or other veggies ready-to-go in the frozen- or fresh-packed sections of your grocery store. In fact, they can all be added to salads, stew or soups to give you a sense of satiety, along with adding nutrients to your daily diet.

Now that you've got a reason (and way) to get more veggies in your diet, check out That's Fit's exercises to get your body moving!

I know it sounds cliche, but I've never liked brussel sprouts. They're one of the only veggies I don't care for, and while I'm sure they're awfully good for me, I just can't eat them. They're too bitter for me. But there might be a reason why brussel sprouts taste bitter to me -- I might not be getting enough zinc.

Seriously. A study from the University of Ulster in England found that women who didn't get at least 7 mg of zinc a day are more likely to find brussel spouts and similar veggies like cabbage bitter. The recommended daily intake for zinc is 8 mg and it's found in fish, lean beef, chicken, yogurt and nuts.

What do you think about this finding? I don't know that a lack of zinc is a problem for me -- I think it's just brussle sprouts are gross. Don't you agree?

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I have a three-year-old daughter who's just reaching an age where she'll refuse food. She'll put up with carrots -- even the occasional broccoli sprout -- but try to give her spinach, green beans, or cauliflower, and you'll wind up with an unhappy toddler.

Apparently this fear of certain foods, called neophobia, is partially my fault (and partially her mother's) -- as, according to scientists, it's hereditary. A new study concluded that a person's genetic make up is much more likely to effect his or her food preferences than their environment.

But even if your little angel kicks and screams every time you bring brussels sprouts to the table, don't worry -- they'll grow out of it eventually. In fact, most people like anything after they've tried it about 10 times -- so persistence is key.

Although, take it from a father -- that knowledge may be comforting in the long run, but it doesn't help when you're stuck at the table, glued to your chair because you said "no one gets up until someone eats all her peas."

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Omega-3s have the medically proven ability to reduce the amount of fat in your blood and help lower triglycerides. Triglycerides are a huge risk factor in heart attacks. Not only are they good for the heart but they help with depression, type 2 diabetes, fatigue, dry and itchy skin, brittle hair and nails, joint pain and other inflammation in the body, and the inability to concentrate. Here are some top 10 food sources for Omega-3s. Start a healthy habit by adding some of these items to your daily diet and remember to buy organic when available.

Flax Seeds
Dried Ground Cloves
Walnuts
Salmon, Halibut, Cod
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Dried Ground Oregano
Mustard Seeds
Brussel Sprouts
Cooked Soybeans

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