5 Delectable Orange Foods To Add To Your Diet

If you read my post on 5 deliciously red foods to add to your diet, you’ll know where this post is going. Colour is vital to our health. With each colour comes a certain set of nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemical's that protect our bodies and keeps us healthy. Your goal should be to eat a rainbow diet every day. Something from each colour group. We often get into the habit of buying the same foods all the time. Its my hope with these posts that you’ll be reminded of all the fabulous foods that are out there waiting for you to enjoy them! Doesnt that picture to the left turn you on!

Tangerine

Tangerine's are not dissilimiar to orange in appearance but very different in flavour. These divine fruits are stronger and they dont have that acid/sour bite of an orange. They look so similar to oranges my partner cut it up to use it in our dinner, which reqired a segmented orange. The easiest way to tell them apart is they have a little nipple. A protrusion from one side of their perfect roundness, which of course is not at all visible in the photo. Peel them and eat them as is, or chop them up like you would an orange. My house guest loves Tangerine, they would eat them over oranges anyday apparently!

Why Tangerine?

Tangerines, like oranges are full of vitamin C, A and folate. They also have a good amount of fibre.Their mineral content is lovely, being high in calcium, phosphorus and potassium.

What are they good for?

They are great for skin, as an antioxidant, for the immune system and certainly for bone health when factored into daily calcium and mineral intake.

Red papaya

While it is called a red papaya, or paw paw, I think it's more in the orange spectrum and therefore it is here, with the orange foods. This slippery tropical fruit is delicious. Remove the skin and the seeds inside and eat the yummy flesh. Unripened papaya, is often added to curry's and salads.

Why red papaya?

Its high in vitamin A and C, lycopene (like other red tinged foods) and fibre. It's also a good source of minerals. Papain present in papaya is great for assisting protein digestion.

Whats it good for?

Red papaya is great for the skin, as an antioxidant and for the digestive system.

Sweet potato

The humble sweet potatoe is a more common food than some of the others listed, but still underrated when compared to the ordinary over-eaten, old white potato. Still a starchy vegetable, sweet potato’s, like white potato’s, shouldn’t form the basis of the diet, but they are definitely a worthwhile inclusion, (or replacement for white potato). You simply peel them and boil, bake or steam them. They can be sliced thinly and baked to make chips.They are a truely versatile and delectably wonderful inclusion to a healthy diet.

Why sweet potatoes?

They are high in vitamin A and carotenoids, vitamin C, and B6, but overall they have a great vitamin and mineral profile. They are also lower GI than potatoes and have a low glycaemia load.

What are they good for?

 Energy and general health. The minerals are good for bone health and Vitamin A again is good for eye health.

Persimmon

Well. I had no idea what to expect when I purchased my first Persimmon on the weekend. I knew I would be writing a post on orange foods this week, and as I was doing my grocery shopping, there were the persimmons, all orange. I had to give them a try. There are 2 kinds, and I bought the sweet ones, they look like an orange tomato. I had no idea how to eat it so I Google’d it and it turns out you eat it like an apple. Oh my it was nice. It’s crunchy and crisp, kind of sweet. I found the flavour to be subtle, I think it tastes like sweet citrus custard but dont hold me to that.

Why persimmons?

 Persimmons, like most fruit, are a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. They also have decent amounts of the mineral manganese and plenty of dietary fibre.

What are they good for? 

Vitamin A and C are good for the skin, the eyes and immune system. A good antioxidant.

Rockmelon

Also known as Cantaloupe for the American readers, this juicy fruit is often found in fruit salads. The heavy ball looking fruit is cut up and the flesh eaten.

Why Rockmelon? 

Rockmelon contains a good amount of the vitamins B6, B3 and folate, as well as the usual vitamin A and C. By now I hope you've noticed an orange trend. Similar colour, similar nutrients.

What is it good for? 

Folate is a great nutrient prior to getting pregnant and in the first trimester. B Vitamins are good for energy. It’s a good antioxidant and great for the skin.