Why You Should Add Color to Your Diet
By Sara Butler
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but beige is not a food group. If your plate doesn't normally have a lot of color to it, then you need to add more fruits and vegetables to it. With the exception of unnaturally colored chips and crackers, the more vibrantly colored food is, the more nutritious you can assume it to be. Here are just a few of the reasons you need to color your world -- or more specifically, your plate.
Full of Goodness
Vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients that are good for your body such as minerals, vitamins, fiber, phytonutrients, healthy fats, calcium, and protein. Your body needs these things in order to work optimally and for you to feel and look your best. Add fruits and vegetables to meals or have them for snacks and you'll give your body the boost in nutrition it needs to keep going.
Nothing Bad Here
Fresh fruits and vegetables aren't processed or are minimally processed (as in peeled or cut up). That means they haven't had bad things such as saturated fats and trans fats added to them. No added sodium or sugars, either. The naturally-occurring sugars contained in fruits and vegetables won't impact your health as added sugars do, particularly if you're eating the entire vegetable or fruit, skin and all, and not simply drinking the juice.
They Promote a Healthy Body Weight
It's important to work to maintain healthy body weight and fruits and vegetables can help you to do just that. These options tend to be lower in calories but still fill you up thanks to the water and fiber they're chock full of. Try replacing calorie-dense foods in your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables and you'll be taking a giant first step toward a healthy you.
They're Super Flexible
No matter how you get your fruit and vegetables -- canned, dried, fresh, or frozen -- they can be a part of a healthy diet. You can eat them raw or cook them up to enjoy them. You can eat them whole or chopped or alone or with something else. The possibilities are endless when it comes to fruit and veg because they're just so flexible!
Color is good in a lot of scenarios, but especially on your plate. So make sure to add color to your diet and the nutrients won't be far behind!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Woodland Hills, Calif.