Every day we are being told to follow some sort of guideline as to what we should eat. There are pyramids, charts, circle graphs and tons of other confusing elements pinpointing what should be on our everyday menu. Some of it might seem a little daunting, but one part that we think is easy enough to follow is the amount of fruit and vegetable servings we should be consuming. Whether you are measuring in servings, ounces or cups, we want you to focus on getting at least three different colors on your plate during every meal. If you continue to do this, you’ll surely reap the benefits that each color has to offer.
What exactly do these colors have to offer for us?
REDS
Tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit and red bell peppers are known to reduce prostate cancer by 35%.
Cranberries contain tannins, which prevent bacteria from attaching to cells.
Heated tomato sauces allow the nutrients to be better absorbed in the body. All the more reason to opt for a homemade sauce!
Try this recipe: Tomato Basil Soup on a cool night.
ORANGES
Turmeric, a dry spice, helps balance the body’s reaction to foods that are high in fats.
Papayas and tangerines are a great aid for vision and bone health.
Oranges are great sources of vitamin A and C.
Try this recipe: Orange Sports Drink after a hard workout.
YELLOWS
Pineapples ease indigestion and asthma.
Citrus fruits like lemons help lower cholesterol and protect against breast, skin and stomach cancer.
Corn provides eye strength and prevents against macular degeneration, which is the #1 cause of blindness.
Try this recipe: Pineapple Breeze Smoothie to get your day started right!
GREENS
Chlorophyll, found in all plants, decreases the risk of liver cancer.
Celery and parsley are known to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli (in their raw form) purge the body of nasty carcinogens.
Try this recipe: Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shitakes and Smoked Paprika for an amazing side dish.
PURPLES/BLUES
Cabbage and cauliflower help the green vegetables out by slowing the metabolism of carcinogens.
Berries, like raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, are extremely high in cancer-fight antioxidants
Purple and blue fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids which delay cellular aging and keeps you looking young and beautiful
Try this recipe: Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw as a great add-on to any meal or as a nutritious snack.
Good article. Thank you.
FYI: Turmeric, no Tumeric. 🙂
Casey, Corrected! Thanks. 🙂