Here’s a health tip for you: The more colors on your plate, the better! We’ve been taught a ton about how to diversify the food groups we eat with references like the food pyramid. A little bit of carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, all that good stuff. But another rule of thumb I like to implement into my meals is seeing as many colors as possible. Different colors offer different health benefits, and therefore the more of a rainbow our plate is resembling, the wider variety of vitamins and minerals we are taking in. It’s that simple!

Is it really possible to eat every color every meal?

Most likely not, and that’s okay. But throughout the day is it possible? Absolutely! Think about it, we eat three meals a day, and likely with a couple of snacks in between. That’s at least five different opportunities to introduce a new color into the mouth to  nourish the body. And with a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, it becomes that much easier to eat more colors!

The Science Behind the Colors of Plants

There are a few colors that basically serve as the “primary colors” in nature. Like on a color wheel we know that all of the various color shades derive from the three primary colors yellow, blue, and red; the same is seen in nature with foods. Green, red, and blue are usually the most potent pigments we find, and all three of these colors are packed with nutrients.

The chemical responsible for the green color that spreads from grass and trees to leaves and green vegetables like swiss chard and kale is known as chlorophyll. What gives the blue and purple shades in blueberries, blackberries, and plums is called anthocyanin. And the third most common color responsible for the red we see in tomatoes and bell peppers, along with their orange and yellow color descendants would be carotenoids.

To simplify these scientific terms, chlorophyll is known as nature’s blood and can have profound impacts on the quality of your blood, skin, and overall health. Anthocyanin gives the body tons of antioxidant properties that help keep the immune system high and fight off unwanted illnesses. Then we have carotenoids which contribute to growth, eye health, as well as a strong immune system. Thus by eating these colors, the body is getting infused with nutrients from several sources. This is absolutely ideal!