A Rainbow of Health

What do the different colours mean for your health?

10 tips for adding more colour to your meals and snacks

1. Keep cut vegetables handy for mid-afternoon snacks, side dishes, lunch box additions or a quick nibble while waiting for dinner; such as red, green or yellow capsicum, broccoli or cauliflower florets, carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, snap peas or whole radishes.

2. Place colorful fruit where everyone can easily grab something for a snack-on-the-run. Keep a bowl of fresh, just ripe whole fruit in the center of your kitchen or dining table.

3. Stock your freezer with frozen vegetables to steam or stir-fry for a quick side dish.

4. Puree apples, berries, peaches or pears in a blender for a quick topping on soy yoghurt, porridge or stand-alone snack.

5. Grill colorful vegetable skewers packed with tomatoes, green and red capsicums, mushrooms and onions.

6. Blend up a breakfast smoothie made with calcium-fortified plant-milk, frozen fruit (such as banana, berries, mango, or pineapple) with a handful of leafy greens.

7. Make homemade pizza, topped with a variety of colourful veg - such as broccoli, spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and zucchini.

8. Add grated, shredded or chopped vegetables, such as zucchini, spinach, eggplant and carrots, to pasta dishes, curries, tacos, soups and stews.

9. Add a side salad of leafy greens and other colourful vegetables to every meal.

10. Whip up a batch of hummus, or another bean-based dip, to enjoy with some crunchy crudite.

The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or specific dietary requirements. Nutritional needs can vary greatly from person to person, and individual health circumstances may require personalised dietary recommendations.