Are You Eating the Rainbow?

Are you eating the rainbow every day? I know it’s hard. Let’s divide up the rainbow into groups to learn why it is so important to eat the rainbow every day.

Red, Orange, and Yellow foods contain what we call our Carotenoids. Carotenoids are produced by plants, causing the plant to have its color. So why is this important for the human body? Carotenoids give the human body important antioxidants, vitamins, and strengthen your immune system. It is also important for our eye health, reducing inflammation, and has even been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers,

Green foods contain Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes some of our plants and veggies green. Chlorophyll is important because it contains antioxidant properties that protect our cells, and has also been shown to have anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer properties.

Dark Red, Purple, Blue, and Black foods contain Flavonoids. Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in plants that have been shown to have many medical benefits. Some of these benefits include a reduction in the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, and have also been shown to improve cholesterol panels and visual health.

Below are some examples of foods you can include, but remember there are plenty more options beyond this list:

Carotenoids - corn, orange bell peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, cantaloupe, and carrots

Chlorophyll - spinach, green beans, peas, broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, and kale

Flavonoids - berries, onions, dark chocolate, red wine, apples, olives, whole grains, and legumes