How Colorful is Your Plate?

If you like to decorate your meal with bright foods (and who doesn't?!), chances are you are receiving plenty of nutrients that provide some great health benefits! There are 5 groups of 'colors'... I'll give you the first one today and list the benefits, the actual food, AND easy ways you can prepare them!

What's In YELLOW and ORANGE foods?
beta-carotene! this nutrient is responsible for giving certain foods their bright colors. alpha-carotene is also present in these colorful and tasty foods....your body converts these nutrients into vitamin A!

Why is Vitamin A important?
Vitamin A maintains the linings of your organs (eyes, respiratory tract, urinary tract, intestinal tract). Bacteria has a difficult time growing when these tissues are healthy, and it prevents viruses from attacking your body!

Diets rich in alpha- and beta-carotenes have been linked to lower risks of certain types of cancer... and best of all?

They may help slow the aging process! These orange and yellow foods get MY vote for sure! Below is a list of common foods that may be the real fountain of youth!

• Cantaloupe
• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Mangoes
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Peaches
• Bananas
• Butternut squash
• Yellow peppers
• Yellow summer squash
• Yellow wax beans

For an easy summer snack, cut up some fruit and keep in in the refrigerator- where you have access to it all the time. You can also cut up yellow peppers to make a nice topping for any salad!

Check Back Soon for the Next Color and Benefits!