Moving on from red, the next colours in the rainbow are orange and yellow. These fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, potassium, flavonoids and vitamin C. Choosing these foods will beneficial to you in many ways. They lower LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, build healthy bones and encourage alkaline balance within the body.
Like always, it’s important to make sure these are whole foods and not “fake” foods like cheesies, orange macaroni and cheese, or even orange cheese for that matter. These foods have been injected with chemicals and colourings to give them this colour.
Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are usually coloured by natural plant pigments called carotenoids. Foods like sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkins contain beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A. This helps to maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. These carotenoids also are beneficial for your heart. Studies have found that they help to lower chances of heart attacks.
Citrus fruits like oranges are a good source of vitamin A. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. Some examples of these orange and yellow foods are yellow apples, butternut squash, apricots, mangos, oranges, yellow peppers, pineapple, pumpkin, lemons, grapefruit, carrots, canteloupe, sweet potatoes, yellow tomatoes and tangerines.
Grate some carrots on a salad, add some chopped pineapple to a smoothie or make a colourful stirfry with orange and yellow peppers. Just make sure it isn’t convenience food that has simply been made to look this colour!
