Colours on the plate: How rainbow diet can help child nutrition; dieticians explain

Curate rainbow diets for children to make sure that they have a fun and healthy meal. Here’s what you need to know.

Children often make tantrums at the dinner table. While it is essential to pay attention to their nutritional intake, parents should also ensure to make the plate look interesting for them to eat their food without making fuss. Rainbow diet refers to the usage of various nutritious and colourful veggies and fruits that can add colours to the plate and more nutrition to the child’s diet.

"Different colored plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits," said Dr. Rizwana Sayed.(Unsplash)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Rizwana Sayed, Clinical Nutritionist & Registered Dietician, Apollo Clinic, Vimannagar, Pune said, “It is a diet that involves eating fruits and vegetables of different colors every day. Plants contain different pigments of phytonutrients, which give them their color. Different colored plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits. It’s different from a normal diet because it emphasizes eating a wide variety of nutritious food.”

Dr Rizwana Sayed further noted down the colourful veggies and fruits that can be added to the child’s diet:

Fruits and vegetables in different colors:

• Red - Tomatoes, strawberries, beets, red peppers, cherries, red onions.
• Orange and yellow - Apricots, yellow peppers, sweet potatoes, bananas, pineapple, mangoes, pumpkins, oranges and peaches.
• Green - Leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, kale
• White and brown - Cauliflower, white beans, onions, lychees, garlic, chickoo, banana
• Blue and purple - Egg plants, purple cabbages, passion fruit, purple grapes, purple plums, prunes, raisins and dark cherries.

Here's how rainbow diet can be beneficial. (Unsplash)

“A rainbow is a symbol of hope, and incorporating rainbow-colored foods with different textures can capture children's attention, making mealtime fun and encouraging them to enjoy a variety of healthy foods. A colourful rainbow diet supports growth, boosts mental development, strengthens the immune system, and protects against illnesses,” said Dr. Vaishali Ingle.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.