What colors are in your lunch today?

This week’s challenge is a fun one – and if you have kids, you definitely will want to get them in on the action! It’s the “EAT THE RAINBOW” Challenge!

I’ve even included a handy list to get you started.

Did you know that health experts recommend eating at least 4½ cups of fruits & veggies every day?

That’s 1½ to 2 cups of fruit and between 2 to 2½ cups of vegetables a day.

That doesn’t mean just munching on baby carrots and apple slices – you’ll get even more valuable micronutrients (like vitamins, minerals, and important plant compounds) if you eat a VARIETY of fruits and veggies. Plus, it’s a lot tastier!

That’s where this challenge comes in – this week, it’s all about eating a veggie/fruit choice from each color group.

Here’s a list to help get you inspired:

• Red/Pink: beets, cherries, cranberries, pink grapefruit, pomegranates, radicchio, radishes, raspberries, red apples, red grapes, red peppers, red potatoes, rhubarb, tomatoes, watermelon.
• Orange/Yellow: squash, apricots, cantaloupe, carrot, corn, grapefruit, lemons, mangoes, nectarines, oranges & tangerines, orange & yellow peppers, papaya, peaches, pineapple, pumpkin, sweet potatoes.
• Green: artichokes, asparagus, avocados, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, greens (cabbage, lettuce, spinach, kale, etc.), cucumber, green beans, green grapes, green onions, green peppers, kiwi, leeks, limes, okra, pears, peas, watercress, zucchini.
• White: bananas, cauliflower, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, mushrooms, onion, potatoes, parsnips, shallots.
• Blue/Purple: blackberries, blueberries, currants, dates, eggplant, purple grapes, plums, prunes, purple figs, raisins.

#1: Let us know if you are IN for the Rainbow Challenge.

#2: How will YOU do this challenge? Will you divide and conquer (eat one color a day)? Make a giant salad with one choice from each?

Let us know in the comments!

REFERENCES:http://www.eatright.org/…/preventing…/eat-right-for-lifehttp://www.heart.org/…/docu…/downloadable/ucm_466712.pdf