Following A Rainbow For Healthier Eating

The more naturally colorful the foods we eat the healthier we can be according to numerous scientific studies about diet and nutritional needs.

A diet full of foods in rich hues including an array of primarily plant foods such as a palette of vitamin packed fruits and vegetables can boost the immune system, cause weight loss, ward off diseases like diabetes and cancer, improve circulation and cholesterol, and even lower blood pressure.

The benefits of these foods can even be categorized by their color making it easy to remember the positive impact they can have on our health.

Green foods are perhaps the most powerful of all the color groups as they contain the most nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for overall optimal health. Boost energy levels, maintain weight, get adequate amounts of fiber, and strengthen your immune system all from eating a variety of green foods including asparagus, green apples, avocados, broccoli, pears, green peppers, kiwi, limes, spinach, and zucchini, just to name a few.

Blue or purple foods are in order for warding off serious diseases like cancer as they contain many antioxidants as well as water soluble vitamins for strengthening blood vessels to aid with the healing process. Incorporate foods such as black currants, blueberries, concord grapes, plums, and purple cabbage into your diet to have an adequate amount from the blue and purple category.

The red category of naturally colorful foods is chock full of tasty treasures including beets, cherries, chicken and fish, kidney beans, pink grapefruit, radishes, raspberries, red cabbage, red chilies, red meat, red onions, strawberries, and tomatoes. Turn to red foods for sources of beta carotene, vitamin C, minerals, and protein.

Orange foods like apricots, carrots, mangoes, orange peppers, oranges, peaches, squash, and sweet potatoes are needed for maintaining good bone health as well as healthy skin, hair, teeth, and vision. Yellow foods help with energy and can aid with digestive problems. The best yellow foods for a healthy diet include bananas, corn, eggs, grapefruit, some fish, lemons, certain oils, and grains like rye and wheat.

Eating a rainbow of foods can have a number of positive health benefits and also give you the chance to experiment with so many different delicious foods.

Colorful Chicken Salad Recipe

What You Need

• 1 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
• 2 cups chicken breast, cooked, cubed
• 2 cups ham, cooked, cubed
• 2 cups celery, diced
• 1 medium green sweet pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt to taste
• 3/4 cup almonds, slivered
• Lettuce leaves

How to Make It

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pineapple chunks, the cubed chicken and ham, diced celery, and the chopped green peppers and red onions. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, ginger, nutmeg, and a dash of salt to taste. Stir to mix well.

Add the dressing to the salad and toss lightly to coat well. Add the slivered almonds and toss lightly.

Place lettuce leaves on 6 plates then distribute the colorful chicken salad evenly amongst them and serve.

Serves 6.

Make an easy but spicy flank steak marinade with chili sauce, horseradish, lime juice, red pepper flakes, and sour cream. Use a simple steak marinade recipe for grilling or broiling the meat for extra tender results.

Easy Steak Marinades Help Make a Truly Mouthwatering Meal - EasySteakMarinades.net