How to get more color in your diet - Eat The Rainbow 🌈

Winter time is fading and Spring time is peeking through, which means new life is sprouting. As we see the Spring colors blooming, it reminds us to refresh our plates. March is a great month to refresh your plate with colorful and nutritious foods! 

As you learn to discover the power of food, “Eating the Rainbow” simply means to include more fruits and vegetables in your meals! Each color has a unique role in supporting your

body. 

Phytochemicals 

When you look at all the colorful fruit and vegetables, take a moment to see what colors you see. Every color represents a phytochemical, which serves as part of the plant’s immune system to protect it from bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. 

Not only do they serve to protect the plant, but they also provide us with multiple health benefits like:

• Supporting heart health 

• Improving the Immune System 

• Protecting the Brain 

• Prevention of Cancer 

The Colors 

🍅🫜 Red can be found in tomatoes or watermelon, dark red can be found in beets.

🍊🌽 Orange and yellow are typically found in carrots, bananas, corn, and tangerines

🥑🥬 Green can be found in spinach, kale, and avocados

🫐🍆 Blue and purple can be found in plums, eggplant, and blueberries 

🧄🍄‍🟫 White and brown can be found in garlic, cauliflower, and mushrooms

Every color can offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components. While having other unique sets of nutrients to help improve your health. 

Beyond The Rainbow 

When understanding what the color palette means, your curiosity can take it one step deeper to see how these colors can improve the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microscopic organisms, which provide benefits for the body. 

Gut function is essential for the digestive system, immune system, endocrine system, and nervous system. Your dietary pattern has an impact on the kind of relationship your microbiome has with your body.  By including more color in your diet, you are nourishing more than just one system in your body. 

In one of our past articles, we discussed the connection between gut health and Diabetes and why it matters. A healthy gut microbiome targets several health benefits.

Add More Color To Your Plate 

This month, try including one or two more different colors to your plate for every meal. These small changes can lead to bigger health goals, and you don’t have to do it alone! 

At Feeding the Root Nutrition, our team of Registered Dietitians provided personalized, evidence-based nutrition support with a focus on cardiovascular health and diabetes. We honor cultural food traditions while offering practical strategies to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, so you can enjoy food that nourishes both body and soul. 

Connect with us to learn more about our insurance-based services and how we can support your health journey.