Posted: Wednesday, August 31, 2016 4:36 am
Linda Stollings
As I was traveling back from Knoxville a couple of weeks ago, I saw the most magnificent, vibrant rainbow. The colors were rich and bright, not faded or difficult to see. Not only was it beautiful but there was two of them. The beauty of the rainbow never ceases to amaze me and remind me of God’s promise in His written word. What a great symbol of His promise.
Let’s talk about the colors of the rainbow on a much less significant scale, using those vibrant colors that God created to paint a picture for us. We know that colors can affect our mood, our thinking, our fashion, our feelings, and believe it or not, our wellness. You have probably heard about eating things that have a lot of color and making your plate as colorful as a rainbow. I am going to ask you to fill your plate with the most colorful foods so that you have a variety of colors (vitamins and minerals) on your plate. It is not as difficult as you may think and the reason for it is simple, it’s one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.
Create a rainbow of color with fruit and veggies on your plate.
» Choose Orange/Yellow — Orange is Awesome! These bright-colored fruits and vegetables contain zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is vitamin A. Orange and yellow fruits and veggies help keep your immune system strong, they also keep your eyes very healthy (reduces your risk of macular degeneration) and your complexion looking young and vibrant by promoting collagen formation. They protect the body against prostate cancer, lower blood pressure and LDL (the bad guys) cholesterol. Examples are sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, butter nut squash, orange and yellow peppers, oranges, peaches, cantaloupe, apricots, pineapple and lemons just to name a few common ones.
» Red-Red is Radiant-Think red for heart health! They protect the body from heart disease. Red fruits and veggies offer many other health benefits, they contain; lycopene, ellagic acid, quercetin, hesperidin, fiber, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They help protect the body’s cells from damage due to stressors, emotional, physical, and environmental stressors.
They help protect the body against tumors and certain cancers like prostate and lung cancers. They also support the joint tissue helping those with arthritis, and help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Some examples are tomatoes, red beets, red peppers, red onions, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, watermelons, red grapes and apples.
» Purple and blue-Purple is a Powerhouse! Great to decrease the risk for cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Purple/blue fruits and veggies actually keep the body from rusting form the inside out by reducing inflammation. Purple and blue foods contain anthocyanins, which are health-promoting chemicals that help protect cells and heal your body. Some examples are, purple carrots (yes I said purple carrots), purple potatoes, eggplant, plums, prunes and blueberries.
» Green is the greatest! — Greens help with liver function, reduces the risk for many cancers, helps promote strong bones, supports the immune system. They are full of vitamin K which helps the blood to clot properly. They contain calcium, many antioxidants and a wide variety of vitamins. Examples include, green beans, leafy greens, broccoli, peas, celery, zucchini, avocados, green peppers, kiwi, green apples, green grapes, just to name a few.
» White is it! — Alas, even though white fruits and veggies have little to no color, they are still nutritious. Think of them as the clouds that surround the rainbow. Many white fruits and vegetables contain the chemical allicin, which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as reduce the risk of stomach cancer and heart disease. They help reduce inflammation, decrease the risk of breast and colon cancer and may help prevent strokes. Examples include, bananas cauliflower, onions, garlic, pears, parsnips, mushrooms and shallots.
What do all the colors have in common? They keep you healthy!
Linda Stollings is a corporate wellness consultant in Bristol, Tennessee. Email her at lstollings@fitprescriptions.com.
© 2016 HeraldCourier.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
