Eat the Rainbow: Adding Plants to Your Diet is a Game Changer
As we age, our bodies go through all sorts of changes, admittedly not all of them as fun as we’d like, but here’s some good news: Eating more plants can help us stay healthy and feeling our best.
Studies show that people who eat 30 different plant-based foods a week have healthier guts. They tend to enjoy their diet more too.
As we get older, fiber-rich foods are our best friend. Fiber keeps everything moving smoothly, helps us feel full longer and promotes gut health—essential for overall well-being (more on that later!)
Plants are packed with fiber and are loaded with phytonutrients that help fight inflammation, protect our cells, and may even reduce the risk of chronic conditions. These can-do wonders for your health.
So, how do you make this shift? Rather than just thinking about the foods you are cutting back on, seek out colors. Use “eating the rainbow” as a way to get more fiber too.
As you think about adding more plants to your diet, don’t just focus on quantity. Add variety! After all, each plant, from kale to blueberries to spices and seeds, has unique value. I like to think of it that each color represents a different nutrient that your body craves.
You don’t have to overhaul your diet tomorrow or become and instant kale enthusiast. Instead, try adding one new plant each week or add a new color to your next routine meal. Maybe it’s swapping out your usual side of potatoes for yellow peppers. Or throw blueberries into your daily oatmeal. The key is to keep it simple and build from there.
Carolyn Kontos, MS, ACC, offers Wellness & Nutrition Coaching at the JCC through her Eat Well Programs. For more information, contact Carolyn at [email protected]
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