Most of us have heard the statement “Eat the Rainbow”. Focusing on eating whole foods that represent a variety of colors insures we get a variety of vitamins, minerals and tons of fiber. While the colors don’t follow the traditional Roy G. Biv mnemonic, below is some inspiration for a variety of colors.
Red: Strawberries, beets, apples, red peppers, red onion, tomatoes, cherries, red beans, pears, raspberries, radishes, cranberry and pomegranate.
Orange: Oranges, papaya, pumpkin, butternut squash, mango, persimmons, peaches, peppers, tangerines, sweet potatoes and grapefruit.
Yellow: Pears, yellow peppers, bananas, lemon, golden raspberries, pineapple, summer squash, spaghetti squash, yellow tomatoes potatoes and corn.
Green: Spinach, kale, cucumbers, lettuce, okra, peas, edamame, avocados, grapes, celery, collards, kiwi, honeydew, limes, leeks, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and green beans.
Blue: Blueberries, plums, figs, prunes,black beans, huckleberries, blackberries, marionberries, eggplant, purple potatoes, purple cabbage, grapes and olives.
White/Tan: Almonds, white beans, jicama, shallots, oats, sesame seeds, onions, garlic, whole grains, parsnips, cauliflower, ginger, walnuts, pecans, white peaches, white nectarines, mushrooms and potatoes.
It is not necessary to eat all of these colors everyday but focusing on including as much variety as possible will fight boredom while giving you the boost your body needs.