Getting older and being a mother again has made me very conscious about my health. I am still coping with post-partum weight gain (20 more punds to go, LOL) but am glad I am not experiencing post-pregnancy after effects like hair loss and loosened teeth (ouch!) Most of these I attribute to a well-balanced diet and iron supplementation during and after pregnancy.
I thought I was already eating enough, but attending a talk sponsored by Amway-Nutrilite recently on how to “color your diet” made me realize how much still needs to be done. For starters, think about the colors of the rainbow and how the colors translate to what we need to eat in terms of fruits and vegetables per day.
Nutrilite scientist Donald Pusateri asked: “did it ever occur to you why those living in rural farms are healthier than those living in the city?” Not only because of the fresh air they breathe but because of a diet rich in phytonutrients, or those which can be derived from plants.
Mr. Pusateri said that in order to be healthy, one must take from five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, preferably one from every color.
Here’s an easy guide:
Red : one small apple a day will do, 12 cherries or 17 red grapes
Benefits – These fruits support cell, prostate, vascular, immune and DNA health
Yellow and Orange: 1/2 cup cooked squash, 3/4 cup fresh pineapple, one large pear, one cup papaya or 1/2 mango
Benefits – They support healthy immune function, cardiovascular health, vision health, cell protection and maintains skin hydration.
Green: 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw spinach, zucchini, broccoli, green beans or romaine lettuce
Benefits: They support lung and vision health, strong bones and teeth and maintain healthy cell growth
Blue and purple: 1/2 cup cooked red cabbage or eggplant, 3/4 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup purple sweet potatoes
benefits – Food in this color range support heart, brain and bone health and provide antioxidant protection
White: One large pear, one small banana, 1/2 cup cooked cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, potatoes or turnips, 10 peanuts
Benefits – For healthy enzyme function, the maintenance of healthy bone metabolism and to preserve arterial function
Since some of us can’t get enough of the required five to ten servings of fruits and veggies each day, I found the Nutrilite lineup of nutritional supplements useful. Disclosure: we got two bottles of the brand’s tablet concentrates during the nutritional lecture and I am now taking them daily. Nutrilite Concentrated Fruits and Vegetables contains phytonutrients and whole food extracts of green tea, pomegranate, orange, elderberry, blueberry, acerola, broccoli, carrot, spinach and tomato. On the other hand, Nutrilite Daily Food Supplement contains 11 vitamins and 8 minerals with plant compounds.
These are just the health products I need and I wouldn’t mind buying them again from my favorite Amway dealer. Call the Amway hotline at 814-8181 for more information on how to color your diet 😉
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