Eat the rainbow!

by skating tomato (follow)

Nutrition (237)      Vegan (120)      How To (61)     

Not only does eating a naturally colourful selection of food and fresh produce look visually attractive and appealing, it also provides a range of health and nutritional benefits that would otherwise be very difficult to source.



On the whole, each colour contains its own unique set of phytochemicals (disease fighting compounds), so the more of each group you eat, the more you are arming yourself with optimal health and preventative measures.

So let's break down why and how you can eat the rainbow!

Red

Why?
Excellent sources of lycopene
Thought to help fight against heart disease
Provides antioxidants and detoxifies the liver

Where?
Capsicums, chilli, cranberries, grapefruit, guava, pomegranate, radishes, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon


Orange & Yellow

Why?
Excellent sources of carotenoids
Provides vitamin A which aids immunity
Promotes good eye and skin health

Where?
Apricots, capsicums, carrots, corn, lemons, mandarins, mangoes, oranges, peaches, pineapple, nectarines, squash, sweet potato


Green

Why?
Excellent sources of chlorophyll
Play crucial role in cancer prevention
Stimulates red blood cell production

Where?
Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cucumber, kale, kiwi fruits, lettuce, peas, spinach, watercress, zucchini


Blue & Purple

Why?
Excellent sources of antioxidants
Promotes collagen synthesis for anti-aging benefits
Anti-inflammatory properties

Where?
Beetroot, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, eggplant, figs, grapes, plums, prunes, red cabbage


White

Why?
Possess sulphur-containing compounds
Antimicrobial properties aiding immunity
Prevents stickiness of the blood

Where?
Bananas, cauliflower, garlic, leeks, lychees, mushrooms, onions, parsnip, pears, potatoes, shallots, soya beans, tofu, yoghurt

All it takes is finding a way to make sure you get at least one of every colour in your day. Slice a banana over your cereal and enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast for example, and you have already knocked out two of the five groups before you've left the house!

Related articles
Why we should vary our fruit intake
Pesticides & Fresh Produce - the Best and Worst

Categories
#Nutrition
#Vegan
#How To

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