The world is full of color, and you can enjoy it just about anywhere you go, in any way you want. But, of course, your health wants in on the action. Nutritious, clean eating is a perfect way to incorporate even more color into your daily life.  A healthy plate has every color of the rainbow, and so can your glass—let’s talk about colorful, nutritious juices. Did you know each color serves a different purpose? It turns out while you need a little bit of everything, a great way to customize your meals is to bulk up on the colors you need the most. Don’t forget that every color has a purpose, and we all need at least a little from each group.

Add A Little Color To Your Plate

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is almost void of all colors, which is really sad. In the US, time and ease seem to take priority over nutrients. Now, I totally get it, and I have even been there personally. When I was in school, I looked at food the same way the army does (a time-consuming necessity). Unfortunately, the result is typically fast food that is calorie-dense and nutrient deficient. More often than not, these foods tend to be yellowish, white, or brown. Nothing about them screams health or vibrance. 

Are You Giving Your Body What It Needs?

Your body relies on you to provide it with all the building materials it needs to break down and build up different areas of your body. When your body is starting to get a little low on some of the materials, it will put in a work order with you. These work orders often come in the form of cravings or as signs and symptoms on your body. While most people miss the subtle signs and symptoms that pop up on your body, we all identify cravings. Unfortunately, these cravings can be misinterpreted. For example, people who are craving chocolate are asking for more magnesium. So instead of eating a bunch of chocolate, grab a handful of nuts. Now here is the thing most people don’t know. The more sugar you consume, the more magnesium you push out of your body, making the problem worse.

Benefits Of Red Foods

When it comes to choosing the best color for your heart health, red is your absolute go-to. These foods contain high levels of phytonutrients called anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and lycopene. You can read more about each of them in the table below. Together, they help your heart, joints, skin, and eyes, and they also help fight cancer in several ways. Anthocyanins help reduce inflammation, fight off viruses, prevent/fight cancer cells, and protect against heart disease. Ellagic Acid helps to slow down cancer growth, prevents wrinkles, reduces inflammation in the pancreas, strengthens the immune system, and promotes brain functioning. On the other hand, Lycopene helps protect the heart and has also been shown to help slow the progression of some cancers.

I’m Looking For Something In Red

If you are looking for food options in red, here are some that have higher concentrations of Anthocyanins: raspberries, strawberries, cherries, beets, apples, red peppers, red cabbage, kidney, and adzuki beans, as well as red onions. For foods high in Ellagic acid, go for pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. The best options for higher concentrations of Lycopene are tomatoes, watermelon, guava, and grapefruit. Let’s break down some of the best options for red foods and all of the additional benefits they bring to the table!

Benefits Of Beets

Beetroot has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it another natural detoxifying agent. It is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and ions such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper, all of which are important for bodily processes. In addition, the methionine and glycine present in beet juice prevent the build-up of fat cells. Lycopene, another component of beet juice, keeps your skin firm and prevents premature aging.

Craving Cherries?

Cherries have been shown to improve liver, kidney, and heart health and function. They are high in antioxidants which makes them amazing at rejuvenating the skin and slowing down the rampant signs of aging. Cherries are one of the only naturally occurring forms of melatonin in food. Other foods need to be converted into melatonin, which greatly reduces stress and improves sleep. Not to mention they have anti-inflammatory properties which help with joint pain. Cherries can also help boost your immune system, lower cholesterol levels, and aid in digestion. 

Stand Out With Strawberries

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which is great for boosting your immune system. They are high in antioxidants making them ideal for anti-aging. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, which prevents collagen breakdown and reduces wrinkles. They are high in anti-inflammatory properties, which lowers blood pressure and heart health. They are high in fiber which makes them ideal for weight loss, detoxing, and digestive health. Strawberries contain high levels of manganese which improves mood and lowers stress levels. They are also great for your teeth and bones. Strawberries can even help whiten your teeth! 

Rocking Raspberries

Raspberries are high in anthocyanin and polyphenols, which act as an anti-inflammatory. This makes them great for heart health and improves blood flow, menstrual cycle regulation, and pain management. Raspberries also contain rheosmin, which helps increase metabolism to promote weight loss. They are high in antioxidants making them ideal for anti-aging. Raspberries are high in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and improve skin, hair, and eye health. They are high in fiber which aids in digestion, and as a bonus, they also contain phytonutrients that protect against bacterial infections. 

The Almighty Apple

Apples are not only great at getting you up and on your way, but they are also perfect for aiding in weight loss and management. Apples are high in fiber which aids in digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. The fiber in apples also helps lower the risk for heart disease and aids in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Apples are also low in calories and high in water content, which helps the body naturally detox and removes excess weight stored in toxins. When our bodies come into contact with something they either do not recognize or consider an enemy, they encase it in fat as a form of protection. Our bodies force out these fat-encased toxins during detox, which results in a lower number on the scale.

Taste The Rainbow

Eat the rainbow daily. The more variety you have in your diet, the more likely you will get the variety of nutrients you need to thrive. Be creative. You do not have to follow any strict recipe for making colorful juice. You can add ingredients according to your taste. You may make it colorful by adding different ingredients. Add a little more color to your daily routine! If you are looking for a quick and easy way to add a little more red to your daily routine, be sure to check out SNAP supplements for their beet powder mix. It tastes great and is packed with red power foods!

Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

Gluten free Dairy Free Serves 6

• 1 1/2 Pounds Large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
• 4 Cloves Garlic minced
• 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
• 2 Cups Fresh Pineapple Chunks
• 1 Tbsp Sriracha
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• 1 Medium Shallot sliced
• 1/2 Cup Plain coconut yogurt
• 1 Jalapeno
• Juice of 2 Limes
• 2 tsp Agave Syrup
• 1 Cup Cilantro roughly chopped
• Warm Gluten-Free Tortillas
• Mashed avocado
• 1 ear Grilled corn kernels removed

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425. On a baking sheet toss together shrimp, 1 Tbsp oil, chili powder, amino, sriracha, garlic, a pinch of sea salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on one side of the pan. To the other half add pineapple, shallot, and jalapeno tossed in 1 Tbsp oil. Roast for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp is cooked. Turn on broil and broil for 1-2 minutes or until the pineapple has charred. Remove from heat and toss together.

To make the sauce in a blender add yogurt, some jalapeno, juice of 1 lime, agave, and 1/4 cup cilantro until smooth. Toss remaining cilantro, corn, lime, and a pinch of salt together. Assemble with a little bit of everything and enjoy!

Blueberry Lemon Thyme Drink

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp fresh Blueberries
• 1-2 tsp Fresh Thyme
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 2 Tbsp Blueberry Jam
• 1 Coconut Lime Bia Water

Combine everything and enjoy. For an adult option add 1-2 ounces of bourbon or tequila. Please drink responsibly.

Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!