Faith Moser is the creator of eco ike {organic baby t’s + cookbooks full of yummy, healthy and quick recipes for kids and grown-ups}! If you want your little tots to dress green or eat green, visit ecoike.com.
Red apples, orange carrots, green kale, purple eggplant… eating our colors is good for us and growing little bodies! A great way to get kids excited and interested in fruits and vegetables is to talk about their connection to color! Eating a rainbow-colored diet instills wholesome eating habits that are essential for a child’s health, growth and development.
Kids love colors. Have them a draw a rainbow {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple} and then discuss what fruits and vegetables share the same colors.
Teach them the importance of nutrition by explaining that the different colors provide different nutrients! It’s a great way to get them involved in the foods they are eating {or hopefully about to eat!} and to help them understand that natural plant pigments signify certain health benefits.
Orange/yellow fruits and vegetables are colored by a plant pigment called “carotenoids.” Carotenoids produce vitamin A, which helps to make the eyes healthy. Eat your carotenoids with carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, mangos and winter squash.
Red fruits and vegetables are colored by “lycopene.” Lycopene helps boost immunity so your body can fight off colds and viruses. Eat your lycopene with tomatoes, watermelon, red peppers and pink grapefruits.
Blue/purple fruits and vegetables are colored by “anthocyanins.” Anthocyanins are a powerful antioxidant that help protect your body’s cells from damage. Eat your anthocyanins with blueberries, purple grapes, eggplant, figs and blackberries.
Green fruits and vegetables are colored by “lutein.” Lutein is loaded with antioxidants, essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that help protect our eyes and skin. Eat your folate with broccoli, spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts and asparagus.
Every color of fruits and vegetables contain different vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that help nourish little bodies and help them grow and stay healthy!