Eat the Rainbow... A Recipe For Better Health 

 

There’s no shortage of ways to eat! There’s Keto, Paleo, vegan, DASH to name a few. But one dietary strategy that falls outside of these man-made boxes is simply known as “eat the rainbow,” in which you fill your plate with as many colors as possible. You can’t say it’s something new. Nope. Since the beginning of time, moms have been telling their kiddos to eat their vegetables and that green things are good for you. It’s just that now, in more recent years, the advice has shifted to encouraging kids to “eat the rainbow.”

The idea behind it is that if you consume a variety of colors, you will naturally consume a variety of micronutrients— vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. That goes a long way toward keeping you healthy and warding off disease.

Start them young was the idea behind this year’s Youth Extension Day Celebration in Tallahassee. Children living near the site of the celebration, South City Community Garden, showed up with energy, enthusiasm and a healthy dose of curiosity.

The event was hosted by the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension with support from community partners including the Florida Department of Health in Leon County. There was plenty of food, fun, and lots to learn.

Leigh Miles, the public health educator for the Leon County Health Department was there. She will tell you there are many reasons that it is important for kids to eat a range of colorful fruits and veggies every day. “Variety keeps things interesting and encourages kids — and adults — to incorporate new foods into their diet. One of the biggest reasons, however, is the unique benefits that a variety of colors in fruits and vegetables provides us,” says Miles. Miles is also the muscle in Leon County behind the Healthiest Weight Florida campaign. Miles played the Eat the Rainbow game with youngsters at the community garden. Miles said it’s pretty straightforward — colorful veggies are good for our bodies. When you show them and tell them, they get it.

Youth celebrating Youth Extension Day 2020 also learned about pollination and insects, growing food, wildlife, soil, and organic matter, cooking and eating healthy, and exercising. Other partners joining the fun on the field included representatives from FAMU Extension, Whole Child Leon, Leon County Office of Resource Stewardship, Master Gardeners, and more.

To learn more:

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/eat-more-color

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