It is essential that we eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day as part of a plan for healthier living. It is important that we eat those with the deepest hues of color as they provide us with a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and photochemical that our body’s need to maintain good health and energy levels. They will also protect us against the effects of aging and may well reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease. So in order to ensure that you are healthy eating everyday you should include the colors of health in order to do this.
Colors of health are all about colors, blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange and red and the colors of fruits and vegetables which promote good health. So when planning your meals for each day or when dining out then think color. So to ensure that you have variety in your diet may it 5 a day the Color Way!
1. Blue/Purple
These color foods help to beat the effects of aging as well as lower the risk related to some forms of cancer, are good for maintaining your urinary tracts health, help you with your memory functions. These foods contain varying amounts of health promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics. You can get blue/purple everyday from such foods as Blackberries, Blueberries, Dried Plums, Purple Figs, Purple Grapes, Purple Cabbage, Eggplant (Aubergine), Purple Peppers and Potatoes (purple fleshed) are to name but a few.
2. Green
These can help to lower the risk from some cancers as well as improve the health of your vision and keep both your bones and teeth strong. They contain varying amounts of potent phytochemicals such as lutein and indoles and you can get green everyday from such foods as Avocados, Green Apples, Green Grapes, Kiwifruit, Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli/Flowers, Green Beans, Green Cabbage, Celery, Cucumbers, Peas and Spinach are just some.
3. White
This helps to promote a healthy heart as well as keeping cholesterol levels that are already healthy the same and will lower the risk related to some forms of cancer. Again these types of foods contain varying amounts of phytochemicals and this includes allicin which is found in the onion family. You can get all the health benefits you need each day from white foods such as Bananas, Dates, White Nectarines or Peaches, Cauliflower, Garlic, Ginger, Mushrooms and of course Onions.
4. Yellow/Orange
Including these foods in your diet will ensure that your heart remains healthy, your vision stays healthy and your immune system is healthy and working correctly and yet again these can lower the risk related to some forms of cancer. These color fruits and vegetables contain varying amounts of anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids (which are 2 forms of phytochemicals). You should include such orange/yellow fruits and vegetables such as Yellow Apples, Apricots, Melons (Cantaloupes), Yellow Figs, Lemons, Mangoes, Nectarines, Oranges and Yellow Beets, Carrots, Yellow Peppers, Pumpkin and Sweet Corn are a few foods to be found in this color group.
5. Red
It is essential that you include red in any healthy eating plan everyday to help maintain a healthy heart, your memory functions, and your urinary tract health and also help to lower the risk of getting some forms of cancer. These foods contain specific phytochemicals with have health promoting properties and include lycopene and anthocyanins. In order to get reds in to your diet every day include such fruits and vegetables as Red Apples, Blood Oranges, Cherries, Red Grapes, Cranberries, Beets, Red Peppers, Radishes, Red Onions, Red Potatoes and Tomatoes in your diet.
So if you follow the color way you should hopefully be doing more to ensure you is healthy eating everyday.
The Author:
Robby Sam