10 Reasons to Eat Yellow and Orange Fruits & Veggies

10 Reasons to Eat Yellow and Orange Fruits & Veggies

They are packed with nutrients. These bright-colored fruits and vegetables contain zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is vitamin A. The nutrients help our bodies in many different ways, from our eyes to our bones:

1. Aids in eye health and reduces the risk of macular degeneration of the eye

2. Reduces the risk of prostate cancer

3. Lowers blood pressure

4. Lowers LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol)

5. Promotes healthy joints

6. Promotes collagen formation

7. Fights harmful free radicals in the body

8. Encourages pH balance of the body

9. Boosts immune system

10. Builds healthier bones by working with calcium and magnesium

There are so many orange and yellow fruits, such as:

· Oranges

· Grapefruit

· Lemons

· Ugli fruit

· Pummelos

· Bananas

· Apricots

· Nectarines

· Persimmons

· Mangos

· Peaches

· Cantaloupe

· Pineapple

· Papaya

· Starfruit

Vegetables

· Carrots

· Sweet potatoes

· Pumpkin

· Butternut, acorn and summer squash

· Corn

· Orange and yellow peppers, and

· Yellow beets

Don’t forget about herbs like ginger that also share this color. So as you can see, there is no shortage in the array of fruits and vegetables we can choose with these sunshine hues.

Do you have any favorite recipes that include these foods? I love recipe swapping, so here are a few from me to you.

• Lemony Chickpea Bruschetta

• Beet Salad with Tangerines

• Gingery Sweet Potato Soup

• Roasted Squash Soup with Maple Glazed Bananas

• Root Vegetable Gratin

• Pumpkin Lasagne

Don’t forget portion control, especially with these dessert recipes.

Have you eaten a rainbow of colors today?