Is Healthy a Color in Your Meals?
By Tom Herrin
First of all, what the heck does color have to do with health when it comes to food? In some cases, it can be a lot. So many people are in a habit of eating many of the same foods over and over that they never actually pay much attention to what they eat. They may become a lot like cattle. Once someone rattles the bucket of feed, they all come. With the exception of hanging out on Sixth Street, life may become a little boring. Adding a little color to the menu can make it healthier and more enjoyable. All anyone has to do is be willing to try.
Start With Some Blue
It seems as if foods in the blue group have received a lot of good attention in recent years for their benefits. They have become quite popular at breakfast as well as other times throughout the day. They are considered to be a great source of antioxidants. They are also believed to reduce some cancer risks, fight inflammation, and boost memory. These blue, or purple, foods include blueberries, figs, purple cabbage, eggplant, plums and several more.
Yellows Have Their Own Place
Some people have very little exposure to many kinds of yellow vegetables. Many of them are somewhat unique. These yellows, and sometimes orange, may be best known for helping the eyes, but they are also thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and protect the skin, among other things. A few on this list include carrots, oranges, yellow squash, sweet potatoes, and lemons. There are plenty more for those who are adventurous. With a little planning, a person can have a different one of these foods every day for quite a while without a repeat.
Try a Big Variety for the Best Results
If you are wanting to enhance those meals, try something different each day to add color. We enjoy making a little contest out of it by allowing each member of the family to pick a color to add each day. With small children, it can be fun to let them draw a meal on paper and color it. After that, let them help to select the foods and prepare them in a meal. They will like it and be more likely to want to try new foods as a result. You may even enjoy them more, too.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.