Eat a rainbow!

Highly coloured fruits and vegetables tend to be rich in vitamins and antioxidants (which protect our cells against damage). This is just one of the reasons they are all marked with an HH symbol – they are VITAL for good health! On top of that, most are Free Foods too! Could you eat a rainbow of extra healthy Free Foods this week?

Ruby red grapes, pomegranates, red peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit
Red foods tend to be rich in Lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against cancer. They also contain other carotenoids that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Pumpkin, squash, carrots, mango, sweet potatoes
Think orange – think carrot! Orange fruit and veg contain alpha and beta-carotenes which also help protect against cancer and coronary artery disease.

Orange peppers, oranges, cantaloupe/rock melon, nectarines
Orange-yellow fruit and veg are generally good sources of vitamin C – essential for healthy bones, skin, cartilage, hair and teeth. Vitamin C also enhances immunity and speeds the healing of wounds

Kale, Savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach
Did you ever believe the reason you were given to ‘eat your greens’? Well this one’s for real! Green, leafy vegetables contain Isothiocyanates and Indoles. Both of which may prevent cancer.

Black grapes, purple sprouting broccoli, blackberries
Most blue or dark purple fruit and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin C. Blueberries and other purple berries also contain anthocyanin – an antioxidant that may protect against cancer and may help eye problems, diabetes and joint inflammation.

Plums, beetroot, prickly pears
Like blue fruit and vegetables, purple-red produce is usually a good source of vitamin C.