5-a-day rainbows - get colourful

Beth Furness - Assistant Nutritionist | 04 Mar, 2019

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The true rules of 5-a-day are that it should be a different type of fruit or veg to make it count. Of course two apples is a better choice than an apple and chocolate bar, but the important message is this – aim for variety! So when selecting your fruit and veg, the more colours the better. Eat a rainbow to get a range of vitamins and minerals. Different colours = different nutrients!

Fruits

5-a-day-rainbow

Strawberry – source of folate important for blood cell formation, vitamin C for a healthy immune system and iodine important for thyroid hormone production

5-a-day-rainbow

Orange – source of calcium for healthy bones, vitamin E for healthy skin, thiamin to support nervous system function and vitamin C for a healthy immune system

5-a-day-rainbow

Banana – source of potassium which plays a role in heart function, vitamin B6 for energy use and storage, and vitamin C for a healthy immune system

5-a-day-rainbow

Apple – source of fibre for a healthy digestive system and vitamin C for a healthy immune system

5-a-day-rainbow

Blueberry – source of vitamin E for healthy skin, biotin which plays a role in fat metabolism and vitamin C for a healthy immune system

5-a-day-rainbow

Plum – source of copper important for red and white blood cell formation, vitamin E for healthy skin and niacin for energy release

5-a-day-rainbow

Raspberry – source of vitamin E for healthy skin and vitamin C for a healthy immune system

Vegetables

5-a-day-rainbow

Tomato – source of potassium which plays a role in heart function, vitamin C for a healthy immune system and iodine important for thyroid hormone production

5-a-day-rainbow

Carrot – great source of vitamin A important for immune function and eyesight in dim light

5-a-day-rainbow

Swede – source of vitamin C for a healthy immune system and thiamin to support nervous system function

5-a-day-rainbow

Broccoli – source of potassium which plays a role in heart function, calcium for healthy bones and phosphorus for healthy teeth and bones

5-a-day-rainbow

Aubergine – source of iodine important for thyroid hormone production and vitamin B6 for energy use and storage

5-a-day-rainbow

Cabbage – source of calcium for healthy bones, vitamin A important for immune function and eyesight in dim light and thiamin to support nervous system function

5-a-day-rainbow

Beetroot – source of potassium which plays a role in heart function, phosphorus for healthy teeth and bones, and folate important for blood cell formation


So next time you hit the fresh produce aisle – make sure you put a variety of colours in your trolley!

Nutritionist Beth Furness (ANutr), holding a BSc in Nutrition and Health, is deeply dedicated to applying evidence-based knowledge to all aspects of nutrition. Her passion lies in fostering healthy relationships with food, ensuring that everyone maintains a balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition.

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