Colorful Eating = Healthy Eating

Last weekend, I went to the San Diego County Fair and was impressed with one their exhibits, which featured a garden of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains centered around the theme of "Taste a Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables". The idea is that by incorporating a variety of colors into your diet, you also take in the many phytonutrients associated with those colors.

Aside from the colors and their associated nutrients, I couldn't help but get caught up in the fresh smells as I walked through the garden. It was amazing to see these foods in their natural state, meaning how they look before they get to your local grocery store or farmer's market.

In Chinese Medicine, the concept of eating a "rainbow of colors" also holds true. Different colors strengthen different parts of our bodies and colorful eating can help maintain and balance your health.

Check out some of the pictures below along with some information about those particular foods.

(tomatoes, heirloom I believe)

Red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelons (Xi Gua), wolfberry or goji berry (Gou Qi Zi), are rich in the phytonutrient lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant linked to cancer prevention.

(kale, red chard)

Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, or red chard are not only rich in the mineral iron, but also in Vitamin B12. Both are essential in building healthy blood while Vitamin B12 is essential for optimal functioning of the nervous system. In Chinese Medicine, spinach helps nourish and tonify blood. Another phytonutrient, beta-carotene, is also found in spinach and kale, and in yellow and orange fruits/vegetables like carrots, mangoes, and papayas. Beta-carotene is the inactive form of the antioxidant Vitamin A, which is important in promoting healthy vision and a healthy immune system.

(amaranth, lemongrass)

Plants such as Amaranth can be used as a grain, vegetable, or even as a dye. As a grain, Amaranth seeds contain protein, much like quinoa or buckwheat, and also do not contain gluten. Studies have shown that Amaranth seeds may benefit those with hypertension or cardiovascular disease. As a vegetable, Amaranth is a good source of Vitamins A,K, B6, C as well as riboflavin and folate, and minerals such as calcium.

Lemongrass, which has a citrus flavor, is commonly used in Asian cuisine in either fresh, dried, or powdered form for teas, soups, or curries. It can complement poultry, fish, and seafood. Recently, studies have shown lemongrass to have anticancer properties. In addition, Lemongrass oil has been used as a pesticide, preservative, and also as an anti-fungal.

Overall, this display was a delight and made me think of delicious ways to incorporate color into my diet. And if you think about it, not only will your meal look pleasing, but I'm sure it will taste wonderful as well. Enjoy and happy eating!