Eating a Rainbow a Day

When we talk about eating more fruit and vegetables, it's easy to focus on how many but there's another question worth asking.

How many different colours are on your plate?

The colours in fruits and vegetables come from natural plant compounds called phytonutrients. These compounds don't just make food look appealing they each bring different benefits to our health.

🍎🍓 Red foods like tomatoes, strawberries and red peppers contain compounds such as lycopene and anthocyanins, linked to heart health and antioxidant protection.

🍊🍑 Orange & Yellow foods including carrots, sweet potatoes and peppers are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, supporting immunity, skin and eye health.

🥦🥬 Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale provide folate, vitamin K, lutein and chlorophyll, helping to support bones, vision and overall wellbeing.

🫐 🍇 Blue & Purple foods like blueberries, blackberries and aubergines are packed with anthocyanins, which can support brain function and healthy ageing.

🍄‍🟫🧅 White & Brown foods such as mushrooms, onions, garlic and cauliflower contain unique compounds that support immune function and gut health.

No single fruit or vegetable can provide everything your body needs which is why variety matters.

A simple goal is to eat a rainbow 🌈 a day and try to include 3-5 different colours across your meals each day.

It doesn't have to be perfect as the small, colourful changes really can add up over time.