Add Color To Your Diet

The expression “Eating a Rainbow” is used by multiple health organizations to encourage us to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. When you eat a broad variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, you get healthy nutrients called phytochemicals.

These are naturally occurring plant-based chemicals that protect plants against things such as insects and UV light. For us, they help us in the prevention of chronic diseases.

Phytochemicals are also found in many herbs, red wine, coffee, teas, and dark chocolate. In this issue, we’ll highlight some of the most common colors.

Here are some tips for ways to get more of these beneficial phytonutrients.

• Dietary guidelines suggest eating 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Set a goal for yourself to have at least 1 to 2 portions at each meal.
• You get more antioxidants by leaving the colorful skin on! This includes delicious foods like the purple eggplant, the red apple, and the orange sweet potato.
• In addition to the foods you eat, choose drinks that contain phytonutrients:
  • End your meal with a cup of green tea.
  • If you drink alcohol, enjoy a glass of red wine. Have it with food and in moderation.
  • Enjoy black coffee, leaving out excess sugar and other artificial flavorings.
• End a meal with a piece of dark chocolate or frozen blueberries.