Why do you think fruits and vegetables are the most colorful foods? Possibly it’s nature’s way of attracting us to healthy foods. The most colorful foods contain the most disease-fighting plant chemicals.
I think of food as a colorful work of art. Therefore, the more shades used, the healthier it is.
Color symbolizes vitamins and nutrients. Plant chemicals are called “phytonutrients.” For example, lycopene is a phytonutrient that make tomatoes red. Lutein is the color of corn, and beta-carotene provides carrots their orange color. Other chemicals may be less well known. For instance, the broad class of compounds called anthocyanins impart the vibrant reds to strawberries and cherries, blues to blueberries, and purples to grapes and plums to many fruits. Although unpigmented vegetables such as onions and garlic may lack colorful pigmentation, they have important protective phytochemicals.
It’s suggested to include four to ten servings a day of vegetables, mainly orange and dark green vegetables. So, what colors are you going to eat today?
RED/PURPLE
Contains dominant clot-preventing antioxidants
Includes red and blue grapes, blueberries, strawberries, beets, eggplant, plums, red apples, and red peppers
ORANGE
Rich in cancer-fighting carotene
Includes carrots, mangoes, cantaloupe, winter squash and sweet potatoes
RED
Rich in carotenoid lycopene to defend against heart and lung disease
Includes tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon
ORANGE/YELLOW
Assists prevent heart disease
Includes oranges, peaches, papaya, and nectarines
YELLOW/GREEN
Decreases cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
Includes spinach, corn, peas, avocado, honeydew, and collards
GREEN
Full of cancer-blocking chemicals
Includes broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, bok choy, and sprouts
Choose spinach over iceberg lettuce.
WHITE
Stay away from white (over-processed flour)
Choose brown rice over white rice
So, plan to have colorful attractive meals including a variety of fruits and vegetables; thereby, getting all those needed nutrients for a healthy life style.
