Eating Your Colors

I am sure that you've heard that a number of times, but can you tell me why? I never fully understood the saying myself, which is what prompted me to research a little about the different colored foods and what they can do for you. So here is a small sampling of colorful foods, and how they can effect your body.

~ Red ~
Red foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help protect against prostate and breast cancers.

Shop for: Red peppers, tomatoes, watermelon


~ Orange ~
Alpha and beta carotene make foods like carrots and sweet potatoes so brilliantly orange. The body converts these compounds into the active form of vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. These phytochemicals also operate as antioxidants, sweeping up disease-promoting free radicals.

Shop for: Apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, oranges, papaya, tangerines

~ Yellow and Green, Part 1 (Leafy Greens) ~
Many yellow and green vegetables are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals that accumulate in the eyes and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people. Leafy greens are also rich in beta carotene.

Shop for: Artichokes, corn, lettuce, summer squash, wax beans, arugula, chard, collards, mustard greens

~ Green, Part 2 (Cruciferous) ~
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, provide compounds called indoles and isothiocyanates, which may help prevent cancer by amping up the production of enzymes that clear toxins from the body.

Shop for: Broccoli, green cabbage, kale

~ Blue and Purple/Deep Red ~
Blue, purple, and deep-red fruits and vegetables are full of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, antioxidants associated with keeping the heart healthy and the brain functioning optimally.

Shop for: Blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, radishes (red), raspberries, strawberries, grapes


Notice that tan is NOT a color? Yes, that means the donut that I just ate as I sat here and typed this whole schpiel is NOT part of the color wheel. :(

So what have we learned? Color your plates up, People! The more variety of colors you have throughout a day, the better you will feel and the more your body will thank you!