Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients, also referred to as phytochemicals, are not vitamins or minerals per se but compounds found in various foods that appear to fight diseases like heart disease, various types of cancers, eye disorders, and problems with blood clots. These chemical compounds are also noted for giving fruits and vegetables their many vibrant colors. By choosing a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables each day, you can obtain the greatest amount of disease-fighting substances in the diet.

Various names attributed to these compounds include:

Lycopene
Flavonoids
Alpha-beta carotene
Lutein
Zeaxanthin
Antioxidants
Cryptoxanthin

Try these colorful selections in your foods:

Red: Tomatoes, watermelons, guava, pink grapefruit

Dark red/purple: Grapes, grape juice, blackberries, cranberries, apples, prunes, strawberries, eggplant, plums

Orange: Sweet potatoes, mangoes, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin

Orange/yellow: Oranges, tangerines, clementines, peaches, papayas, nectarines

Yellow/green: Corn, avocado, peaches, honeydew

Green: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, peas, spinach, romaine, kale

White/green: Garlic, onions, chives

Blue: Blueberries

Vitamins and minerals are widely found in our food supply. They can be healthfully obtained by consuming a diet rich in protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains. In other words, an adequate vitamin supply comes from a diet that contains all the food groups. But many people are not satisfied with their wide availability. Many people continually seek alternative methods to supply themselves with these nutrients.

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