Get Some Color (On Your Plate)

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Jan 29, 2013

When I say "get some color," I’m not talking about a tropical beach vacation or fixing those horrific highlights. 

I’m talking about your diet, dearie.

Eating well can be as simple as following the rainbow. The more color variety on your plate, the more likely you are to be getting all of your nutrients, since every color does something different for your bod. Organic fruits and veggies may vary by season, but you can find all the colors year round. The key to staying healthy this winter is beautifying your plate with different hues.

Riveting Red

Just like your little red nighty gets your man’s blood boiling, fruits and veggies that are red in color help improve circulation, increase blood oxygen levels, and keep your heart healthy. Add a little red to your salad or tofu scramble with some diced tomatoes or red peppers. Grab a handful of cherries or cranberries for a quick healthy snack.

Oh My Orange

That pretty orange color comes from all the beta carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant. It can help protect your baby blues from cellular damage caused by all that Facebooking, and it'll strengthen your lungs to protect you from environmental toxins. Bring an orange for your pre-workout snack. Amp up your nutrient quotient by adding mixed veggies like carrots and peppers to your pasta sauce, or throw some chopped sweet potatoes into your veggie chili.

Un-Mellow Yellow

Yellow foods stimulate your nervous system, helping to give you a natural energy boost and keeping your digestive system on track. That squeeze of lemon in your morning water will wake you up and get you moving. Put a banana in your smoothie, drink some pineapple juice, or make a breakfast out of grapefruit.

Gratifying Green

All those little photo-nutrients that give leafy greens their color are great for your skin and body. They naturally help cleanse your system, and all those live enzymes will give your skin a beauty boost. Even if you aren’t a salad gal, throw on some spinach, peppers or broccoli the next time you make pizza. Get on a green smoothie kick and toss some greens into your morning fruit frappé.

Blue/Purple

In Chinese medicine, foods with a bluish hue are said to have “yin” energy, which “cools” the spirit. Who doesn’t need a little of that after a shit storm day? That big glass of Cab is so satisfying 'cause it's a cocktail of purple grapes (and cause it gets you lit). But if you're skipping the alcohol, treat yourself to a big bowl of berries for dessert.

What's your favorite color of the food rainbow? Tell us in the comments section below!

Lori Kenyon, Certified Nutrition CoachFormer corporate attorney and master of the loop-hole, in 2010, Lori co-founded the kick-ass raw organic juice company, Ritual Wellness. Lori now spends her time producing a healthy alternative to chemical ridden, nutrient void drinks in the market, and writing  to help educate people about healthy food choices.