Eat the Rainbow
No, we’re not talking about skittles.
While delicious, unfortunately the only thing skittles are good for is a quick energy burst, followed by the all-too-familiar blood sugar crash.
When we say “Eat the Rainbow,” we’re talking about increasing the variety of color in your diet from natural, whole food sources. Each individual color comes with its own unique set of key nutrients. The colors are representative of the specific antioxidants and phytochemicals found within that food. This is why eating a variety can set your body up to fight the entire spectrum of illness and disease!
Food is pretty rad.
We’re going to give you a run-down of the:
Key Nutrients associated with that color.
Health Properties related to those nutrients.
Examples of foods where you can find these properties.
And finally, how we incorporate these foods here at Raleigh Raw!
RED
“There is something in the red of a raspberry pie that looks as good to a man as the red in a sheep looks to a wolf.” ~ E. W. Howe
Our Raleigh Raw Drink Choice: Mad Beetz (beet, apple)
Our Raleigh Raw Meal Choice: Khaleesi Acaí Bowl (strawberry, dragonfruit, beet juice)
FUN FACT - did you know that lycopene is higher in watermelon than tomatoes?! Plus, it’s more bioavailable (lycopene becomes more bioavailable when the tomatoes are cooked, however).
ORANGE + YELLOW
“You can’t compare an apple to an orange. It will cause a lot of self-esteem issues.” ~ Craig Sheffer
Our Raleigh Raw Drink Choice: Rooted in Raleigh (turmeric, pineapple, carrot)
Our Raleigh Raw Meal Choice: Rosarito Poké Bowl (grapefruit, orange, roasted corn)
FUN FACT - Do you always have cold hands and feet? Well, the nutrient known as hesperidin helps to increase blood flow; try incorporating citrus fruits, especially oranges, a few times a week. You’ll get rid of those cold hands of death in no time.
GREEN
“Someone has to stand up and say that the answer isn't another pill. The answer is spinach.” ~ Bill Maher
Our Raleigh Raw Drink Choice: 9th Wonder (kale, spinach, cucumber, parsley, celery)
Our Raleigh Raw Meal Choice: Rainbow Macro Bowl with Mixed Greens (zucchini, kale chips, spring mix, avocado)
FUN FACT - One of the most significant nutrients for a woman to increase when pregnant is folate (a nutrient abundant in green veg) to help prevent the development of congenital disabilities.
BLUE + PURPLE
“Blue food isn’t normal. Blue food is strange.” ~ Sally Jackson
Our Raleigh Raw Drink Choice: Blueberry Bee Pollen (blueberries)
Our Raleigh Raw Meal Choice: Oasis Smoothie Bowl (blueberries, blue spirulina)
WHITE + BROWN
“Pray for peace and grace and spiritual food, for wisdom and guidance, for all these are good, but don't forget the potatoes.” ~ John Tyler Pettee
Our Raleigh Raw Juice Choice: Cashbah (cashews, dates)
Our Raleigh Raw Meal Choice: Santeria Macro Bowl with Lentils (corn, beans, lentils)
I hope that you enjoyed learning about the amazing medicine contained within nature’s skittles, as well as the related quotes (I thought we could all use a laugh). Now go out there a pursue that rainbow! There’s a pot of gold waiting for you on the other side.
*Important Disclaimer - by “pot of gold” we mean health and wellness. We are not responsible for the disappointment you may face when you eat a colorful salad and realize there is no stack of gold waiting for you at the bottom of the bowl.