The Colorful World of Plant-Based Foods

Are you on a mission to add more greens to your diet? Why not yellow? Or red? You can even try purple! With all these different colors to choose from, navigating the colorful world of leaves and crunchy roots can feel like a mystery. But fear not! We’re here to guide you through an adventure where every bite is about flavor and vitality. 

You can think of them as nature's edible treasures, bursting with nutrients and flavor from the earth's bounty. Plant-based diets include fruits, nuts, and legumes to give you more variety and flavor!

Not only do plant-based foods tantalize your taste buds, but they also nourish your body from the inside out. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they're secret ingredients to a vibrant, energized life. 

When you read the word ‘plant’ you may be thinking of only one color—green. But why stop at one color when you can have them all? A rainbow on your plate is a feast for the eyes and a nutrient-packed fiesta! Let’s start of course with the most popular choice.

Heading to the market? Don’t forget to pick up some malunggay, broccoli, and spinach—these vegetables are packed with calcium, iron, and fiber to keep you strong and energized.  Probably the most obvious choice when picking out which healthy food to start with, green fruits and vegetables provide many health benefits, from protecting your heart to caring for your mind.

Think multivitamins, but all natural. Juicy oranges, sweet pineapples, citrusy lemons, and crunchy carrots are all brimming with Vitamins A and C, plus a hefty dose of antioxidants to keep your immune system in top shape.

Yellow foods have been found to be chock-full of carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which is a fancy way of saying that they have natural compounds that may help keep diseases at bay and reduce inflammation. They also help your body produce more collagen, which is an important anti-aging component, to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

Did you know that an antioxidant called beta-carotene is responsible for giving orange foods their signature hue? Beta-carotene helps support skin, hair, and eye health. Talk about getting healthy already just by the color alone! 

These royal colors are loyal to keeping your health in check. From onions and yams to tomatoes and apples, these colorful gems can help give your brain a boost and are powerhouses of Vitamins A and C.  

Red fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with antioxidants that may help regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol in your body.  

Purple, on the other hand, boosts blood circulation and cell rejuvenation, which are great for our skin!  

As plain as these colors are to some, they scream fiber and essential minerals. Think nutty brown rice, hearty oats, and velvety beans that keep your body humming. Who can resist the satisfying crunch of nuts and chickpeas or the goodness of peanuts?

You might wonder where you can get protein if you eat only plant-based foods. You've got plenty of options! Foods like chickpeas, nuts, seeds, and legumes are protein-packed and can easily replace meat when served in sufficient amounts.

Now you’ve learned the information necessary to get started! Load up your plate with a colorful array of plant-based delights. Not only will your taste buds thank you, but your body will too.