5 Delicously Different Red Foods to add to your diet

                             

mmM colour. Nothing excites me more than seeing colour on someone’s plate. I usually shop with this in mind, ‘what colour haven’t I got on my list?’ I have a houseguest at the moment, and it just happened that we both did our grocery shopping on the same day. My fridge was overflowing (literally) with brilliant colours; if my guest didn’t know me better they’d probably think I was a little loopy. Every time I opened the fridge I was overjoyed at the rainbow of colour. Have you ever noticed that most of the processed junky foods are brown? Varying shades of brown, I’ll give you that, but brown none the less. Why not grow your dining repertoire and eat a rainbow diet every day? Lets look at some more unusual options.                                              

                                                                   Capsicum

Photo from wikipedia

One of my favourites, capsicum makes a beautiful addition to salads and cooked dishes alike. In some cookbooks published overseas its called a bell pepper, here, it’s a capsicum and they do, FYI come in yellow, orange and green too, although orange is less common and more expensive. You can fry them, roast them, stuff them, chop them and dip them, BBQ them, make salsa, I mean really, the list is endless. Capsicum isn’t spicy or hot, so its not just for those with an iron stomach, its an everybody food. My aunt used to feed it to my cousins in sticks when they were little. Yum Yum. I personally prefer red and yellow to green, try them all and see.

Why capsicum? Its high in vitamin A and vitamin C. It’s a good source of many B vitamins and some Vitamin E. Antioxidants anyone? They also have fibre and minerals like potassium and magnesium.. It makes my salads crunchy.

What are capsicums good for? Lets say skin, eyes and as an antioxidant.

 

                                                        Ruby red grapefruit

                                        Image from Wikipedia

Ruby red grapefruit is divine. If you’ve tried the more traditional white grapefruit, throw caution to the wind and give some colour a try. Red or pink grapefruit is sweeter and I much prefer it. See my previous blog on Grapefruit and avocado salad with seared Salmon – Heaven.

Why grapefruit? Its packed with vitamin C and the red and pink colour is from the carotenoid lycopene, which is a great antioxidant. As far as fruits go, its low GI and has a high amount of pectin, which is a really nice, gentle fibre.

What are red grapefruits good for? Heart health, bowel health and skin

Caution: There is evidence grapefruit can interfere with some medications so try and have your grapefruit at least 2 hours away from your meds. 

                                                            Tomato

 

Photo again from wikipedia – what can I say, they have pretty pictures.

Tomatoes are everywhere and I know you’ve eaten them! There may be some of you who’ve only eaten them as sauce on a pizza base, but you’ve eaten them. They are hardly unusual but definitely worth a mention. Did you know they come in a huge amount of shapes, sizes and colours? If not, you’re missing out! This juicy fruit living as a vegetable goes well in salads, when used as a sauce with red meats, on bruschetta, not to mention tomato sauce. Oh it’s versatile. Some people cannot eat tomato and certainly for some people it aggravates their arthritis and inflammatory conditions, so if this is you, obviously move away from the tomato's. Otherwise read on.

Why tomato? Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and again, Lycopene. Are we noticing a trend? Research shows that the lycopene in tomatoes is best absorbed after its been heated and in the presence of fats, think tomato soup with a drizzle of olive oil. Lycopene has been shown to be beneficial for the heart and for prostate cancer. Research also suggests that carotenes like lycopene can help protect the skin from UV damage. If you really want to get a good whack of lycopene, try tomato paste, its concentrated.

What is tomato good for? Prostate, heart, eye and skin health

                                                       DragonFruit

Not so impressed by this one Wiki, but it’ll do

The dragonfruit. Weird and wonderful all at the same time. Kinda soft kinda seedy, this lovely red fruit it messy but oh so good. If you cut through the skin like you would an avocado and then just peel it off you get the lovely red-staining fruit on the inside.

Why dragonfruit? Same reason as the others really. Lots of vitamin C and heart and prostate loving lycopene. Mix it up a little!

What’s it good for? Skin, heart and prostate.

   

    

                                                                                Pomegranate

                                                                 Wiki images

How could you not have heard about pomegranate by now? The fadsters took it and started running about 18 months ago and, as like so many over hyped trends, it’s almost over. Unfortunately for the bizarre pomegranate, the hype was based in fact and this sweet, challenging fruit is very good for you. The only issue I have with pomegranate is eating it. Its hard to get all those little seeds out of the white pith and I would advise a bib, or eating it in your pyjamas so you don’t destroy your work clothes before you leave the house. Also allow yourself plenty of time; it’s not the sort of fruit you eat on the run. I guarantee someone will email me with a much safer way to eat this fruit and if its worthwhile, ill pass it on, but for now, good luck! It’s worth the challenge.

 

Why pomegranate? It’s high in vitamin C, B5 and potassium and as with all colourful things contains plenty of antioxidants.

What’s it good for? Those who are stressed, skin, energy and as an antioxidant.

So there you have it, 5 Red foods you may not be eating yet. Give them a go. Mix it up. After all, they say variety is the spice of life.

Chris