There's no better season than summer to add ripe, just-picked, heart-healthy fruits and veggies to your diet. Produce is plentiful right now. And it's rich in powerful nutrients that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and even certain cancers. Check out this approach for boosting the variety in your diet.
Put a rainbow in your diet
To get the most health benefits from fruits and veggies, eat a variety of colors.
Green
Collard greens
Cucumbers
Green beans
Limes
Zucchini
Red
Cherries
Raspberries
Red peppers
Tomatoes
Strawberries
Watermelon
Blue/purple
Blackberries
Blueberries
Boysenberries
Eggplant
Plums
Yellow/orange
Corn
Cantaloupe
Nectarines
Peaches
Squash
Reviewed 7/31/2024
Sources
- American Heart Association. "How to Eat More Fruit and Vegetables." https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/how-to-eat-more-fruits-and-vegetables.
- Produce for Better Health Foundation. “About The Buzz: Eating Fruits & Veggies Lowers Stroke Risk?” https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/buzz-eating-fruits-veggies-lowers-stroke-risk/.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Seasonal Produce Guide.” https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide.