Nutrition Can Be Fun! Nutrition by Color

You can color your nutritional intake to a healthier you by adding these colorful foods to your diet. If you base your diet based on color you can benefit your health all you need is a bit of information to understand what colors mean what in the dietary world. Keep in mind that each vegetable and fruit will carry its own vitamins and minerals, for more information each fruit and vegetable would need to be broken down individually. For example, while blueberries fall under the blue category they are high in vitamin C, while another blue fruit or vegetable may be high in vitamin A.

Orange and Deep Yellow: Beta carotene and alpha are what create the color orange in foods. The body will then take these two components and turn them into vitamin A. Vitamin A assist in healthy eyes, immune system and eyes. The phytochemicals (chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants) in orange foods work as antioxidants, these antioxidants work to keep the body free of disease promoting particles. Orange foods also contain folate, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Examples of orange foods: Pumpkins, oranges, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, peaches and apricots.

Red: Lycopene, beta carotene and vitamin C are known in red foods. If you have never heard of lycopene its an antioxidant that is listed as an anticancer carotenoids. Examples of red foods: tomatoes, red peppers, watermelon and guavas.

Blue and Dark Purple: is known to have anthocyanin, anthocyanin carries anti-cancer properties. The color blue has also been linked to being an appetite suppressant. Blueberries are high in vitamin c, folic acid, potassium and fiber. Examples of blue foods: blueberries, plums, purple cabbage, grapes, and cherries.

Dark Green: are known for their antioxidant effect. While leafy greens are high in beta carotene. Many green vegetables are a very good source for zeaxanthin and lutein which are phytochemicals that assist with macular degeneration which causes blindness as we mature. Dark green vegetables are also high in vitamins a, d, e, and k, folate and fiber. Examples of dark green foods: spinach, broccoli, zucchini, romaine lettuce and green peppers.

White: are high in phytochemicals allicin, indoles, sulfaforaphans and polphenols. Potatoes are a good source of fiber and potassium. Examples of white foods include chives, scallions, leaks, cauliflower, potatoes and onions.

Source:

http://www.fitnesstipsforlife.com/vegetable-color-and-nutrients.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041900.asp