Happy National Nutrition Month!

Today, March 1st, marks the first day of National Nutrition Month.  Since 1980, the American Dietetic Association {the worlds largest organization of food and nutrition professionals - with over 70,000 members!} has been the key sponsor of this month-long celebration - which is intended to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.   This year's theme is:

You might wonder what "eating right with color" means. Simply stated, this is a call to return to the basics of healthy eating. When you look at your plate, what do you see? Do you see a plate filled with mostly yellow, brown, and white colors? An easy trick for making your meals more healthy is to fill your plate with a rainbow of {naturally occurring} colors. Different colored fruits and veggies have different health benefits. Here is an easy breakdown of the benefits of each color:

Red produce contains properties that can heart health, increase immunity, maintain vision, and may even reduce cancer risks. Examples of red produce:

• Fruits: cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, red/pink grape fruit, red grapes and watermelon
• Vegetables: beets, red onions, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb and tomatoes

Orange and deep yellow produce contain nutrients that support healthy vision and promote immunity, they can also reduce the risk of certain cancers. Examples of orange/deep yellow produce:

• Fruits: apricot, cantaloupe, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peach and pineapple
• Vegetables: carrots, yellow pepper, yellow corn and sweet potatoes

Green fruits and vegetables indicate antioxidant potential and may help promote healthy vision and reduce cancer risks.

• Fruits: avocado, apples, grapes, honeydew, kiwi and lime
• Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, green peppers and leafy greens such as spinach

Purple and blue  produce also have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits and may help with memory, urinary tract health and can aid in reducing the risk of cancer.

• Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, plums, raisins
• Vegetables: eggplant, purple cabbage, purple-fleshed potato

White, tan and brown foods sometimes contain nutrients that may promote heart health and reduce cancer risks.

• Fruits: banana, brown pear, dates and white peaches
• Vegetables: cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, turnips, white-fleshed potato and white corn

So what are you waiting for? Tonight for dinner, be sure that your family "eats the rainbow!"

Read more about National Nutrition Month here: American Dietetic Association