Roy G Biv!
You’ve heard it a million times – you have to eat the rainbow!
What gives plants their color? Phytochemicals. The “plant chemical” pigments are good for us because they have antioxidant properties. Free radicals are naturally created in the body and from certain external stressors like cigarette smoke, pollution, and too much sun. Antioxidants work to prevent oxidation (aka anti-oxidant!) and keep the cells in your body from free radical damage. The following pigments are some of the most well known of the over 10,000 phytochemicals out there. The more colors you can eat, the better off you are!
In RED = Lycopene
Helps keep the heart healthy and protects against some cancers.
In ORANGE and YELLOW= Beta–Carotene
Converted into vitamin A and supports healthy eyes and a strong immune system.
In GREEN = Chlorophyll
Works together with other vitamins and minerals to help protect against cancer.
In BLUE and PURPLE = Anthocyanin
Boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of cancer.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone ate an antioxidant salad every single day? Imagine all the rainbows we’d be eating! (I wonder if our you-know-what would look like this! Haha!)
I took some of my favorite fruits and vegetables and made the prettiest salad in town.
Tomatoes, orange pepper, frozen roasted corn, blueberries, baby spinach, and purple cabbage.
(Plus a homemade dressing with olive oil, white vinegar, zesty mustard, and dried herbs.)
All mixed up with dressing, walnuts and goat cheese on top (because brown and white were feeling left out…) this salad made for an awesome lunch!!
Of all the colors of foods, which is your favorite? I think I’d have to go with red – peppers, watermelon, tomatoes, and raspberries are all so delicious! Second place would go to white – ice cream, Greek yogurt, and cheese! YES! Healthy in their own way, right?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Nothing like a good colourful salad to end the week! My favourite colour would be red too. And purple, because I have a thing for red cabbage! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Melissa says
Yum, this looks like a great salad! Not only are the colors great, but the ingredients are even better!
Shana says
My favorites tend to rotate with the seasons; all the greens in the spring, all the orange in the fall (pumpkin and butternut squash!) and winter (citrus + sweet potatoes!) and all the colors in the summer when produce is abundant. I think its really cool how our bodies naturally crave what’s available and in season.
KathEats says
That’s the way to do it!
Linds says
Cheese is definitely ~emotionally~ healthy for me! haha (apparently dreams do come true… https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedbringme/videos/1934473146587504/). Thanks for the good info! This inspired me to meal prep some rainbow salads for lunch next week. As I sit here and finish my jalapeno cheddar bagel :p
Harry Thomas says
It’d have to be green; apple, spinach, broccoli, green pepper…second would be brown…chocolate, fudge, rum, steak!
jordan @ dancing for donuts says
omg YUM. after a week of stress-eating, my body is seriously starting to feel it. i’m definitely going to pick up the ingredients for this salad today when i go grocery shopping! i love that you added goat cheese & walnuts on top – i’ll literally eat anything if it has those on it!
Linda @ the Fitty says
This makes a beautiful Instagram post! I never have enough patience to Plate my Creations aesthetically like you.
Katrine says
I literally said out loud this morning “Today’s breakfast is brought to you by the color yellow.” Spaghetti squash, eggs, Kerrygold butter, and banana. Yum!
KathEats says
Haha!!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Orange – cheese, sweet potatoes, orange bell peppers, carrots – orange definitely wins!
Tracy says
So pretty!!
I have to go with greens! It’s my favorite color anyway 😉
Amanda says
Am I missing something? I do not see any recipe. I can put together the salad with the just the ingredients listed, but what goes into the dressing and measurements?