Why Not Eat White?

As a nutrition professional, one of the first things I recommend to people is to include a variety of colorful foods in their diet.  In fact, last year's National Nutrition Month theme was "Eat Right with Color" and I've written a post on "Tasting the Rainbow".  Choosing fruits and vegetables that vary in color ensures that you're getting all of the important vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.  


That being said, incorporating foods completely lacking in color can be just as nutritional.  These seemingly boring white foods are loaded with bold health benefits!

• Cottage cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. Be sure to pick low-fat or fat-free options!
• Garlic is heart healthy, as it works to reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides!
• Potatoes are low-calorie (as long as you don't add a ton of cheese, sour cream or oil) and higher in fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, potassium and many other nutrients!
• Yogurt/Kefir is packed with calcium and phosphorus, as well as healthy bacteria to boost your immune system.
• Onions are similar to garlic in their cardiovascular benefits and they are rich  inquercetin, a flavonoid found to reduce inflammation.
• Mushrooms are technically neither plant nor animal, so these delicious fungi are able to provide a variety of nutrients that may be lacking from other sources.  Mushrooms are high in copper, selenium, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid.

Eat Right & Eat WHITE! :)