FUEL WITH COLOR
Even when you are eating like a monk to be “race-lean”, you can still make your meals exciting, not only to look at but also in taste, simply by getting colorful. A splash of color will not only make your food more enjoyable, but it will also add much need nutrients, turning your food in to fuel.
Adding colors can boost your immunity by packing a meal with vitamins and minerals. For example, Vitamin A is what gives fruits and vegetables their yellow/orange color, so foods like pumpkin and carrots are naturally a rich source of this nutrient. You can also find vitamin A in some green foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach & Swiss chard. Vitamin C is not only found in citrus fruits, like oranges, but it also found in kiwifruit, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, berries and broccoli.
You can boost your fiber intake by adding salads, fruits and veggies to your proteins and carbs. This is has been proven to decrease the risk and occurrence of various cancers. A salad is a great addition to your lunch and dinner helping fill you up and also packing your meal with a variety of nutrients. Throw some spinach and berries in to the blender with almond milk for a small breakfast smoothie to go with your eggs.
Furthermore, you will find that colorful, nutrient-dense veggies and fruits help keep you satisfied for longer and to curb those sugar cravings. So, simply aim to eat fruits and vegetables from a rainbow of different colors. Be sure to create a whole Kaleidoscope from a wide variety of sources over the course of a week. Variety is key.
Ideally go with fresh options and foods that are in season. Failing that frozen is fine but try to steer clear of canned versions which are often full of processing ingredients, refined sugars and sodium. Dried fruits are ok in moderate BUT they are more calorie dense than their water filled friends so steady with these especially if you are trying to drop a few extra pounds.