oct 17/21 - How to eat more colourfully...the Greeks know how to eat!

Pit stop in Athens on the way to Naxos, Island
Acropolis Oct 2021

I am in Greece!!
It is my first time here and I can't tell you how much I LOVE the food here! There is so much color in their food!

Have you ever been to a restaurant or prepared a meal that was so colorful that you just had to smile? A beautiful dish is so satisfying that whether you are trying to lose weight or just want to take in more nutrients, which come from colorful food, taking the time to cook with color will be your new favorite thing!

Greek Salad, Scirocco Resturant, Naxos, Greece
Tomatos, Fresh Cheese, Basil, Avocado

Think of adding these colours to your diet: 

• Red foods contain high antioxidants and are good for the brain, heart and circulatory system. Think of strawberries are great for the immune system.
• Orange foods are best known as immunity boosters and contain beta-carotene which is especially good for the skin,eyes and the heart.
• Yellow foods promote good digestion and brain function. Think bananas for potassium and electrolytes. 
• Green foods strengthen muscles, bones, and teeth and are high in fiber.
• Purple and Blue foods have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers and decrease liver damage. These powerful colors also protect urinary health, digestion, memory and aging. Blueberries are the ultimate brain food so eat these daily
  

The Quinoa Salad, Flisvos Beach Club, Naxos, Greece
Doesn't this look delicious?

First and foremost if you want to eat more colorfully you must BUY colorful food! 
We are drawn to color as humans and more color makes food more appealing. Stay around the perimeter of the grocery store where all the fresh items are. The middle aisles are all packaged and processed foods so stay away from the middle of the store if you can. If you go out to eat then the obvious thing is to choose restaurants that offer fresh, farm to table type of meals. Going out to eat is expensive so make sure when you do go out you make it to a restaurant that is a beautiful experience and order a beautiful meal!

Make every single meal have some fruit or vegetables!
Vegetables for breakfast? This is more common these days with adding spinach to smoothies, green drinks and of course adding spinach and red, green, yellow, orange peppers to an omelet. I love colorful omelets! Yes, that means even adding fruit to your dinner which may seem strange but adding berries to a salad is one of my favorite things. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries are all amazing additions to a dark, green leafy salad. 

Fill half your plate with color!
Just focus on grilled vegetables, salads and this adds instant color to your plate as well as loads of vitamins and minerals to your body. I think protein is a very important part of a healthy diet, whether it's animal protein or vegetarian protein but adding fruits and vegetables will make your meals more interesting!

Thank you for following my journey to writing a book series!
Stay balanced,
​LeeAnna