Eating the Rainbow with July Produce
July produce is incredibly healthy and vibrant because peak summer conditionsâlong, sunny days and warm temperaturesâallow plants to maximize photosynthesis. This produces higher concentrations of natural plant pigments, vitamins, and antioxidants. Additionally, because the food is harvested and eaten at peak ripeness, it has less time to lose its nutrients.
The bright colors of July fruits and veggies serve as a visual guide to their specific health benefits. Here are a few key colors and why they make the season so nutritious:
Reds: Pigments like lycopene and anthocyanins (found in tomatoes, red bell peppers, cherries, watermelon, red grapes, pomegranates, cranberries, and strawberries) are powerful antioxidants that protect heart health and combat inflammation.
Oranges & Yellows: Carotenoids (found in peaches, mango, oranges, bananas, apricots, pineapple, turmeric, lentils, chickpeas, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and yellow or orange bell peppers) support eye health, boost the immune system, and protect your skin from sun damage.
Blues & Purples: Anthocyanins (found abundantly in blueberries, acai berries, purple grapes, plums, blackberries, figs, eggplant, purple cabbage, purple yams, and purple onions) are known to protect cells from damage and support brain health and memory.
Greens: Chlorophyll-rich greens (like zucchini, cucumbers, leafy greens, avocado, asparagus, artichoke, okra, broccoli, brussels sprouts, snow peas and kiwi) are packed with fiber, Vitamin K, and folate, which are essential for digestion, energy, and overall cellular function.
July is also National Blueberry Month. Falling under the blue section of the nutrition rainbow, one of our favorite âbluesâ are blueberries. Enjoyed in summer salads, yogurt bowls, smoothes, or straight from the carton, they are power packed with endless benefits and are a proven source of many health benefits:
Brain Health: Anthocyanins help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may improve memory, delay cognitive decline, and foster new neural connections.
Heart Health: Blueberries are certified heart-healthy by the American Heart Association. They can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels.
Blood Sugar Management: With a low glycemic index (GI) of 53, blueberries can cause a slow rise in blood sugar. Their fiber and anthocyanin content can improve insulin sensitivity.
Gut Health: Blueberry polyphenols act as prebiotics, feeding healthy gut bacteria and promoting a balanced digestive system.
Exercise Recovery: The anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce muscle damage and soreness following strenuous workouts.
Cancer Prevention: Studies show antioxidant activity in blueberries may help prevent DNA damage that can lead to cancer..
While eating the rainbow is important all year long, when you live in a âfour seasonsâ area like us, your best summer source for the freshest, quality veggies, fruits and healthy whole foods is buying local when possible.
While most traditional grocery stores promote products that has already traveled across the country, or possibly the world, (which has already depleted some of their important nutrients) now is an excellent time to support local farmers and businesses for fresher, more nutrient-rich produce. Local farm stands, small grocery stores (for us in PA, we LOVE our local Kimberton Whole Foods, and when we are in NJ, Pangaea Natural Foods offer fresh, locally grown produce, free of pesticides - - all in one place!!! So, this July, and in summer in general, support your families health, while supporting local farmers and growers near you who have an abundance of fresh produce being picked daily!
Make it an Adventure
One of our favorite summer activities with our family is pick your own blueberry farms on the way to our home in Long Beach Island, NJ. Ever since our kids were little, they loved running through the blueberry fields and picking the biggest, most delicious, deep indigo-colored blueberries. And of course, there was always a fun competition to see who can find the largest!
Make your own healthy fmily tradition! Research your local area for âpick your own farmsâ and find places to pick many rainbow fruits and veggie varieties throughout the year. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, oranges, apples, plums, watermelon, corn, and pumpkins (in fall) are just a few of the varieties to add to your rainbow list and have fun while building memories. You are also teaching your kids about these important, healthy and colorful, nutrient packed additions to their daily diets.















