Eat The Rainbow For the Good Life Recipe

Variety really is the ‘spice’ of life and nowhere is that more important than with what you decide to put into your body. Of the main food groups – vegetable/fruit, grain, dairy, meat – you can have a lot of fun with how you consume the veggie and fruit collection! No matter the cultural background that provides the foundation of your food consumption choices, eating the colours of the rainbow, will contribute a great basis to a healthy eating menu.

Eating by the colours of the rainbow is fundamentally important to your well-being. There has to be a reason that only in nature can you find such vibrant colours:

• Red: raspberries, beets, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, watermelon
• Orange: oranges, sweet potatoes, carrots,
• Yellow: squash, bananas, peppers, corn
• Green: spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, avocados
• Blue: blueberries
• Purple: grapes, cabbage

Canada’s Food Guide provides the recommended number of Food Guide Servings chart showing how much food you need from each of the four food groups, including veggies and fruit, every day. While it is important to focus on your individual needs (and preferences) to maintain, improve and have optimal health, the occasional fall from food grace will not destroy your healthy eating choices as long as it’s all done in moderation.

Food is the fuel that makes the tank go efficiently, just like driving a nice car! Since such pleasure is derived from eating, it is important to have fun with food, and know that you are providing the best source of fuel for the greatest machine on earth – the human body.

So eat the rainbow, mix in a dose of exercise, fresh air and sunshine and you’ve got a recipe for an optimal life.

For more information on nutrition in sport and physical activity contact SIRC!