Super Foods: Fruits and veggies that support overall health

Super foods: Fruits and veggies that help support overall health

March is nutrition month and that means we want to encourage everyone to eat healthy, but especially if you’ve been diagnosed with or have completed cancer treatment.

Saint Thomas Hospital nutritionist Lori Black suggests a healthy diet of various fruits and vegetables, of every color of the rainbow, filled with antioxidants. Here are a few colorful fruits and vegetables to help prevent lifestyle-related diseases and keep you healthy.

Antioxidants	Color	Foods	Benefits
Carotenoids	Yellow and orange	Carrots, butternut squash, yellow and orange bell peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes	May benefit vision, skin, bones, heart and immune function
Lycopene and Anthocyanins	Red	Beets, red peppers, radishes, red onions, tomatoes, rhubarb	May boost immunity and benefit memory
Phenolic Flavanoids	Blue and Purple	Eggplant, purple cabbage, purple peppers, purple tomatoes, purple onions	Have anti-inflammatory properties
Lutein and Zeaxanthin	Green	Kale, collard greens, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, peas, spinach, zucchini	May help prevent macular degeneration
Xanthines	White	Garlic, onions, parsnips, mushrooms, bananas	May help respiratory, heart, and thyroid health

For more information about any cancer support services or programs, call 615-222-3234.