National Nutrition Week is celebrated from 1st to 7th September and the sole purpose of celebrating this is to spread awareness about good nutrition and health. Various initiatives have been taken up by the government focusing on nutrition, good food, healthy body, mind, and lifestyle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the latest address of Mann ki Baat noted that the month of September will be observed as Poshan Maah that is Nutrition month. He emphasized that nation and nutrition are very closely interrelated. He recalled – “Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam.” It means that mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake.
The interesting, delicious secret to a healthy life is adding a dash of colour to your diet, one that doesn’t compromise on taste as well as health.
1. Red
Red signifies for the passion, which is good for the heart. Red colour is often found in foods rich in antioxidants that protects the heart from the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension and high cholesterol. Foods rich in antioxidants also help in boosting the brain function. Some of the best sources of red vegetables and fruits are tomatoes, radishes, red grapes, watermelon, pomegranates, cherries, strawberries, red apples, etc.
2. Orange and Yellow
Not just heart health, but the overall health of the body is also dependent on a healthy function of the eyes. Yellow and Orange foods are responsible for the health of your nervous system whose nerves are interconnected to the eyes. These foods are also helpful in strengthening the bones, immunity and give a shiny glow to the hair and skin. Some sources of orange and yellow foods are pumpkin, sweet corn, sweet potato, yellow pepper, apricots, papaya, pears and pineapple which are packed with vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients required for the eye and brain health.
3. Blue or Purple
Foods rich in blue or purple are responsible for preventing heart diseases like stroke and also cancer. These foods can slow down the ageing process, boosts memory and speeds up the digestion process, thus contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Examples of such foods are blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes, plums, raisins, figs and eggplant.
4. White
One of the biggest enemies of your heart is LDL or bad cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables which are white in colour are good for your heart as they reduce the bad cholesterol. They help in lowering the blood pressure and stabilize it. Examples of such fruits and vegetables are bananas, garlic, pears, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, cauliflower and turnips.
5. Green
Green natural foods are a repository of every type of nutrient and mineral. Eating them will guarantee a sturdy constitution. Other than its usual benefits of promoting all-round good health, not many people know that they help in blood clotting and also prevent anemia. They are also beneficial for pregnant women because they reduce the chances of the baby being born with birth defects.
Opt for a rainbow diet from this national nutrition week, you can’t go wrong with colored fruits and vegetables. Only, make sure that the stuff you are purchasing doesn’t contain added colors which could ruin your health.
