Eat the Rainbow when it comes to veggies!
What does that mean? Well, I’ll tell you. Eat the rainbow is a simple idea and principle to live by when talking about getting the most nutrients for your diet. Why is that important? Well, we are better able to function and perform daily tasks more readily when we have given the body what it needs.
Nutrients are broken into two basic categories. Macronutrients: Protein, Carbs and Fats and Micronutrients: things like sodium, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, and a slew of others that will take a while to list and spell.
Just know that there is no nutrient more important than another, and while our bodies run majoritively on Macronutrients for day to day tasks, Micronutrients help us operate better and better each day.
So, how do we get micronutrients? Well lucky for us vegetables are chock full of them and offer the best bang for our buck when we need to get those bad boys in our system. I am not going to tell you that one type of veggie has more than the other because the fact is, while some may contain more phosphorus or magnesium, all veggies offer serious health benefits and should be consumed on the regular.
Now, let’s make a plan on how to start consuming a wider array of colors.
Let’s start slow.
Action 1: Identify where you get vegetables in your diet.
In order to begin incorporating more vegetable variety in your life, we need to know where you already get them regularly. While I love the hardcore approach, which may ask you to do it everyday, at every meal, it simply may not be possible if you haven’t set up the right environment to achieve that. So start slow.
Action 2: Pick one day, one time, to Add something new.
After you have identified the day that you know you already hit those veggies with the ferocity of a dragon, use that same day and time to think about what you are going to incorporate. This is where we know we will be able to have the time to add something new and exciting to our diet. Try and pick a different colored veggie from what you normally have.
Action 3: Go to the store
Now that you have figured out where you are going to try a new veggie it’s time to head to the store. This is a great opportunity to learn something new and socialize yourself with the produce section. Most stores, have produce managers that have a good knowledge of vegetables and the benefits they offer. As well, they will most likely tell you how to prepare and cook them.
Action 4: Cook and reflect
Now that you have bought that tasty new veggie, it’s time cook. More importantly, once cooked and enjoyed, you should reflect on that veggie and ask 1) How did this come out? 2)Do I see myself having this long term? Remember, you are in the driver’s seat on this and should enjoy what you eat while reaping the benefits from the food. Take the time to reflect.
Action 5: Rinse and Repeat
Now that you have done actions 1-4 you can either get the same veggies or a brand new one. The goal would be to try new veggies every couple of weeks on that same day/meal until you see a large diversity of colors on that plate of yours. Once you have nailed this. Add another day.
Remember, you are building skills and learning what your body likes. This is to make your body healthy and reap a ton of nutritional benefits from those foods. This approach is best done with the support of someone such as a friend, or coach who has done it before.
So, if you are interested in learning more and getting started, feel free to email us Info@coreprinciples-sc.com or hit us up on FB at Core Principles Strength and Conditioning.
