The wide range of colors in food gives them a visual appeal and provides antioxidants, minerals and vitamins to nourish the body. There are three main pigments that give color to the fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids give blue, cream and red color to the fruits and vegetables, chlorophyll gives the green color and carotenoids give the orange and yellow colors to the fruits and vegetables. White beige and brown color mostly is of proteins and carbohydrates. Each color provides its special nutrients to the body and plays a different role in the body; hence a healthy meal will depend on the color of foods chosen.
Food at the table should gaze like an artist’s palette. To conceive bowls that have vibrant colors and are nutritious, you need to experiment with distinct components. Mix and match to glimpse if the colors and tastes combine simultaneously well.
- White color food: White food gives persons a clean feeling and purify the lungs. They are good for modifying visions and calming strong feelings. Demonstrations of white foods are jicama, mushroom, onion, parsnips, cauliflower, shallots, and turnips.
- Green color food: Green is the color of life and influences the liver. It is a basic link in the food chain, and green food is the food source of persons and animals. Some green food examples are avocadoes, spinach, green grapes, and broccoli.
- Black color food: very dark influences the kidney. The kidney is the fatal body part amongst the five body parts and the source of life. Examples of black color foods are very dark mushroom, woodear, sea cucumber, century egg, black sesame, and black rice.
- Red color food: Red impacts the heart. Eating more red tinted food can help one’s immune system and avert freezing. Examples of red foods are red apples, strawberries, tomatoes, and beets.
- Yellow color food: Yellow corresponds to the spleen. The spleen changes and conveys the power from food and drink all through the body. Yellow foods furthermore correspond to the stomach. Some examples of yellow food are corn, yellow peppers, cantaloupe, and pineapples.
Stick to the five main color groups when choosing what to feed your family. If you are making a dish that uses only one or two colors, use your creativity and add a few more.
Colors and Foods
Red Foods Red foods are one of the foods that are richest in Vitamin C. These foods are loaded with the phytochemicals lycopene and anthocyaninwhich help to improve memory, increase the health of the heart, and reduce the chances of certain cancers.
- Cherry isa delicious fruitthat is high in antioxidants. It is found to prevent arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. They also help to reduce inflammation in the body and give relief from gout and arthritispain
- Beets arevegetables that are low in calorie but high in fiber, vitamin A, C and K and iron. Beets help in improving the digestive function in thebody andreducing inflammations.
- Red bell peppers – are also low in calories and rich in vitamin C and fiber. They help in reducing the cholesterol levels, helping in digestion andin enhancingthe immunitysystem of the body.
- Cranberries are found to be very effective in preventing urinary tract infections. They also help in reducing inflammations in the body.
- Tomatoes are found to be high in the antioxidant lycopene, that helps to reduce the damage of cells and reduce the chances of heart disease and diabetes.
- Red grapes, red kidney beans, pomegranate, red onions, watermelon, and strawberries are other examples of red foods.
Orange Foods contain high amount of carotenoids, bioflavonoids and Vitamin C. This color fruits and vegetables are associated with eye and skin health. They help in increasing immunity in the body, reducing the risk of certain cancers and in maintaining a healthy heart.
- Oranges are rich in vitamin A and C, which helps in maintaining the health of the heart and in boosting immunity in the body. The high content of magnesium and fiber in oranges helpto improve digestionandstrengthen bones.
- Carrots – the high content of vitamin A in carrots are useful in maintaining a healthy texture of the skin.
- Sweet potatoes are marked as one of the healthiest veggies that are highin fiber, vitamins A and C and other powerful nutrients.Sweet potatoes are found to o promotea healthy skin and a decrease the chances of cancer.
- Peaches are rich in vitamin A, C, E, K, and fiber. They help to prevent cellular damage and reduce the risk of cancer
- Mangoes, nectarines, papayas,apricots, golden kiwi fruit and cantaloupe are some other orange fruits that can be included in one’s daily diet.
Yellow Foods help in the process of digestion and boost the function of the brain. These yellow foods are rich in alpha-beta carotenes which are required in maintaining the health of the eyes and skin and in increasing immunity in the body.
- Pineapple is a healthy food that is cholesterol and free. It contains an enzyme known as bromelain which helps in digestion and in regulating and neutralizing the fluids in the body. It helps in reducing heart related problems, cancer and cataract in the eye.
- Yellow peppers –Yellow peppers are found to boost the immune system and maintain a healthy skin with the help of vitamin C and A. The carotenoids present in Yellow peppers help prevent heart diseases.
- Star fruit is high in vitamin C and calciumit is helpful in increasing immunity,improving bone health, and muscle contractions.
- Lemon, grapefruit, Yellow color kiwi, figs, apple, tomato and watermelon are also useful for the body.
Green Foods
Green fruits and vegetables contain a large amount of phytochemicals, iron, potassium, calcium vitamins A and K. All these nutrients help in improving the vision, supporting the health of the bones, preventing birth defects and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. They are also helpful in combating against cancer. There are plenty of other green vegetables loaded with healthy nutrients–
- Kiwi – Kiwi is rich iniron and, vitamin E, which all help to reduce the risk of heart disease and develop an overall good health.
- Green apples, grapes, avocados, asparagus, beans, cucumbers, green pepper, peas and artichokes fall in the category of green fruits and vegetables.
Blue and Purple Foods give an interesting look to the food plate and also brings a large amount of nutrition on the plate. Blue color is a powerful antioxidant known as anthocyan in that gives the color to the blueberries. It is very effective in controlling heart diseases and in preventing cancer. The blue color in the fruits and vegetables come from anthocyanin are associated with antioxidants and antiaging properties. The main benefits of blue and purple foods are to strengthen the bones and improveblood circulation in the body.
- Blueberries Blueberries contain antioxidants, fiber,vitamin E and C; they help to improve the cholesterol level, improve the urinary-tract health, and enhance brain activity.
- Eggplant high in vitamin C, calcium, fiberand phosphorus which helps in strengthening the bones and teeth.
- Blackberries are packed with nutrients like vitamin K, antioxidants and fiber. They are stated to improve the overall health of a person by increasing immunity and functioning of the heart, lowering the cholesterol level and reducing the risks of cancer.
- Plums are high in vitamin B and K. Vitamin B helps tometabolize, proteins, carbohydratesand fat in the body. It helps to promote good health of the bones.
- Other blue and purple foods include black currants, dried plums, purple figs, purple grapes,purple cabbage, purple carrots and purple-fleshed potatoes.
White Foods are packed with nutrients. They help to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and reduce the chances of heart problems.The basic benefit of white foods is to improve immunity and enhance the lymphatic systems. Garlic, onions and cauliflower contain microbial agents that contribute to the overall health of a person.
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