Eat a Rainbow!
Reds
When you add deep reds or bright pinks to your daily diet, you are adding a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene is found in tomatoes, red and pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and guava. Diets rich in lycopene are being studied for their ability to fight heart disease and some cancers.
Greens
Green vegetables are rich in the phytochemicals that keep you healthy. For example, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that are found in spinach, collards, kale and broccoli have antioxidant properties and are being studied for their ability to protect your eyes by keeping your retina strong.
Oranges
Orange color is a must-have in your daily diet. Orange vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, mangos, carrots, and apricots, contain beta-carotene, a natural antioxidant being studied for its role in enhancing the immune system.
Yellows
Bright yellows have many of the same perks as the orange groups: high in essential vitamins and carotenoids. Pineapple, for example, is rich with Vitamin C, manganese and the natural enzyme, bromelain. Bromelain is a great digestion aid to add to a meal.
Blues/Purples
Blues and purples not only add beautiful shades of tranquility and richness to your plate, they add health-enhancing flavonoids, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries, in particular, are rich in Vitamin C, folic acid and potassium, and high in fiber.
Whites
Vegetables from the onion family, which include garlic, chives, scallions, leeks, and any variety of onion, contain the phytochemical allicin which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and increase the body’s ability to fight infections.
When you add deep reds or bright pinks to your daily diet, you are adding a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene is found in tomatoes, red and pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and guava. Diets rich in lycopene are being studied for their ability to fight heart disease and some cancers.
Greens
Green vegetables are rich in the phytochemicals that keep you healthy. For example, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that are found in spinach, collards, kale and broccoli have antioxidant properties and are being studied for their ability to protect your eyes by keeping your retina strong.
Oranges
Orange color is a must-have in your daily diet. Orange vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, mangos, carrots, and apricots, contain beta-carotene, a natural antioxidant being studied for its role in enhancing the immune system.
Yellows
Bright yellows have many of the same perks as the orange groups: high in essential vitamins and carotenoids. Pineapple, for example, is rich with Vitamin C, manganese and the natural enzyme, bromelain. Bromelain is a great digestion aid to add to a meal.
Blues/Purples
Blues and purples not only add beautiful shades of tranquility and richness to your plate, they add health-enhancing flavonoids, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Blueberries, in particular, are rich in Vitamin C, folic acid and potassium, and high in fiber.
Whites
Vegetables from the onion family, which include garlic, chives, scallions, leeks, and any variety of onion, contain the phytochemical allicin which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and increase the body’s ability to fight infections.
