We are told to eat a rainbow of different fruits and vegetables, but nobody really ever explains why. Why is it so vitally important for us to eat fruits and vegetables of so many different colors, and what do the colors of the fruits and vegetables even have to do with the nutrients that they contain? Here is a guide to the phytochemicals and phytonutrients that are contained within fruits and vegetables in different color groups, the food sources that contain them, and the health benefits that are associated with them.
- Color Group: Red
Phytonutrients: Lycopene and Anthocyanin
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients prevent certain types of cancer and strengthen collagen proteins as well.
Suggested Food Sources: Cherries, Tomatoes, Strawberries and Watermelon
- Color Group: Orange
Phytonutrients: Liminoids and Beta Carotene
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients protect against asthma, bronchitis, cataracts and also lung cancer. They can also naturally decrease your bad cholesterol levels.
Suggested Food Sources: Carrots, Melons, Squash
- Color Group: Yellow
Phytonutrients: Liminoids, Zeaxanthin and Beta Carotene
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients protect your vision and work to prevent both colon cancer and breast cancer.
Suggested Food Sources: Yellow Peppers and Corn
- Color Group: Green
Phytonutrients: Lutein, Glucosinolates and Saponins
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients protect your eyesight and promote the maintenance of your skin and your heart. They also lower lipid levels and prevent some forms of cancer.
Suggested Food Sources: Spinach, Tomatillos, Broccoli, Collared Greens
- Color Group: Blue
Phytonutrients: Anthocyanin
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients prevent cervical cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer.
Suggested Food Sources: Blueberries, Plums and Grapes
- Color Group: Purple
Phytonutrients: Anthocyanin
Health Benefits: These phytonutrients prevent some types of cancer and have anti-inflammatory qualities as well.
Suggested Food Sources: Grapes, Eggplant, Raspberries and Blackberries
Now here are some tips for getting more out of your time spent at the farmers market:
- Try out a brand new fruit or vegetable that you haven't tried before, or learn a new and interesting way to prepare produce that you know you like.
- Ask for recipe ideas from the vendor to find out how he or she enjoys preparing a specific favorite type of produce.
- Look to find out if there are any special events that are in the works. There might be fun family activities, food tastings and demonstrations as well.
- If you have children, give them a couple of dollars and allow them to make their own selection, because this will give you a much greater chance that they will actually try out the new produce in tonight's dinner.
- Learn more about the colors in the fruits and vegetables and start to experiment how you can add not only flavor to the dishes that you cook with fresh produce, but also the unique colors that you can produce when you add brightly colored fresh produce to your meals.
Photo Credits: Zabowski
Originally posted 2009-08-25 03:28:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Wickedly Spooky Halloween Roundup Happy Sunday to all my readers! Today's all about the roundup. As usual we have the Fitness Health Network of which I am a part of so go ahead and browse through the posts. You'll find they have a lot of great things to say. A little further down are...... -
Roundup: Candy and Cavities Did you have a spooky Halloween? I know I did. I hope you've sorted your candy and tossed the cavity inducing ones away. More importantly I hoped you checked the candy for the biggest health reason: safety. With stories in years past about candy scares it's important to check the...... -
Grocery Shopping for Better Health pt 3 This is part 3 in a 4 part series about knowing how to read labels and excel at grocery shopping for the purpose of losing weight and getting yourself healthy in every way. Learning how to master grocery shopping is not difficult once you are aware of what to look...... -
Even More Tips for Getting More Fruits and Vegetables Most people are not getting enough fruits and vegetables, despite the fact that there is such a large variety to choose from. Here are some great tips for how you can get pack more healthy fruits and vegetables into your life for a number of added health benefits that will...... -
1200 Calorie Diet Review This is a diet that is based on consuming only 1200 calories in day is minimum considered safe for weight loss. This because in general, 1200 calories will still provide adequate nutritional intake for most people, while reducing calories to a level that most dieters strive for to lose weight.......
Related Websites -
Five Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget Eating healthy is a priority for many families. However, if your budget is a concern, you may be worried that preparing healthy meals might be more expensive than preparing less healthy meals. You want your family to enjoy nutritious meals, but you want to keep your grocery bills as low...... -
Eating Healthy Fat for a Healthy Body Being healthy is a really important component in a healthy lifestyle. What many people do not realize is that one of the most important components in a healthy lifestyle is eating healthy fat. You may not previously have been aware of the fact that healthy fats exist, but they do....... -
Vegetables Aren't as Good for You as They Used to Be This came in my inbox and thought it would be of interest to some people According to new research, produce in the U.S. not only tastes worse than it did in your grandparents' days, but also contains fewer nutrients. In fact, the average vegetable found in today's supermarket is anywhere...... -
Eating Healthy Fat for a Healthy Body Being healthy is a really important component in a healthy lifestyle. What many people do not realize is that one of the most important components in a healthy lifestyle is eating healthy fat. You may not previously have been aware of the fact that healthy fats exist, but they do....... -
Myringotomy Ear Surgery in India at Jaslok Health Group through Medical Tourism Myringotomy Ear Surgery in India is done at Jaslok Health Group under skilled surgeons who have acquired certification from best medical institution through out the world. Surgeons and physicians have served in overseas and are qualified in their precise field to fetch the patients coming in India from overseas. India......
- Vegetables Fruits Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Seedlings Vegetables Fruits Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Fruits, Nuts & Seeds Food & Wine Home Store
- Seeds Bulbs Vegetables Fruits Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
- Vegetables Food & Wine Home Store
Time the change your life? No longer content to live a sedentary lifestyle and revel in couch potatoism? Click here to download the 31 page the 100% FREE eBook "How to Lose Weight and Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle."
Categories:
Weight Loss Journal, alternative ideas, food
Tags:


1 comment so far ↓
As much as people wish you just can’t squeeze all the good stuff nature provides into a capsule. My favorite thing about farmer’s markets are the free samples. I’ve found that is the best way to get my kids to try new healthy foods, especially vegetables they normally would reject.
Leave a Comment