The living world around us is filled with color. Look around and you may see blue sky, green grass, aqua oceans, and an unlimited array of tress, flowers and plants bursting with intense, vibrant color. Health is associated with color as well. When we are healthy we have pink cheeks, bright eyes, and a healthy flush to our skin. Quite interestingly, aging is the gradual loss of color. This fading of color marks the slowing or ebbing of life vibrancy.

It is no wonder then that colorful foods are the healthiest foods we can nourish our bodies with. They contain nutritional benefit in the form of phytonutrients, which means plant nutrients. The fruits and vegetables with the most vivid colors contain the highest amount of these important plant nutrients. Their hues act as a table of contents for the phytochemicals found inside the plant.

Listed below is a color guide for choosing the fruits and vegetables that will provide these powerful healing plant nutrients. Make a conscious effort to include a variety of these healthy colors in your daily diet. Not only will you get more nutrients, but your meals will become more fun and enjoyable.

• Orange: Contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports immune function.
• Yellow-Orange: Provides vitamin C, which detoxifies and inhibits tumor cell growth.
• Red: Holds lycopen, an antioxidant that reduces cancer risk.
• Green: Contains folate and iron, which are essential to building healthy cells and genetic material.
• Green-Light: Provide indoles and lutein, which eliminates excess estrogen and carcinogens.
• Green-White: Hold allyl sulfides. These can destroy cancer cells and support a healthy immune system.
• Blue (fruits): Contain anthocyanins that destroy free radicals.
• Red-purple (fruits): Provide reservatrol, a plaque reducer and mineral chelator.
• Brown (legumes, whole grains): Are high in fiber, carcinogen remover and digestive aid.

Filling your diet with many colorful fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure your body is getting all the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients you need to stay healthy, happy, and vibrant. Think ‘rainbow’ the next time you prepare your plate.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama. Also available on iHeartRadio.