Yellow and Orange Fruit
We’ve all followed various cleanses, detox regimens and the likes of an intermittent fasting style flash diet, but I’ll say from first-hand experience, the best way to sustain a healthy mind and body is by finding a healthy way of eating that doesn’t fluctuate with the latest trend.
My morning staple is a based on a nutritional, and logical way of starting the day. After a night’s rest, our bodies are in a fasting state. If you’re anything like me, you stop eating at a fairly normal hour and don’t eat until morning (unless you’re a night eater, which is possible, lol). In the morning, we break our fast with breakfast, ta da!
Well, upon waking, I have a tall glass of room temperature water and start cutting up some fresh fruit. Yellow fruit to be precise. My whole family beats to this drum, we reach for our serving of yellow fruit, whatever is most in season, and eat a nice heap before we set off for the day.
Yellow and orange fruits, such as mango, peach, nectarine, pineapple, papaya, sea buckthorn (berries) and bananas (amongst many more), are my go-to morning breakfast. A big favourite of mine is persimmon- an incredible orange fruit that has so many benefits; it’s a powerful antioxidant, its extremely rich in fibre and helps with our vision. It also contains beta-carotene which helps in reducing risk of cancer in women.
I break my fast with fresh fruit - I personally enjoy actually eating the fruits rather than a smoothie, but that’s just me!
The amazing KGMTL, AKA Katherine garbarino talks about how yellow & orange fruits are filled with amazing minerals & enzymes, which are all essential to the body in helping jump start the day. She also notes that having fruits like these in the AM helps elimination & gives you a great burst of energy! Fruits til noon is the way she does it.
There are a number of immune-boosting reasons why I start the day with yellow and orange fruit (oh, and citrus isn’t included), but one honest reason is that it acts kind of like a toothbrush for our intestines. Brushing away any undigested food that needs help moving down, yellow and orange fruit do a whole ton of work for our bodies.
Here are some benefits that caught my eye & make me wanna eat my yellow & orange fruits:
These fruits contain zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is vitamin A.
The nutrients help our bodies in many different ways, from our eyes to our bones:
Helps to reduce the risk of macular degeneration of the eye
Helps to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Aids in lowering blood pressure
Lowers LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol)
Helps to promote healthier joints
Promotes collagen formation (YAY!)
Fights harmful free radicals in the body- we can all use a little of this.
Encourages pH balance of the body
Boosts immune system
Builds healthier bones by working with calcium and magnesium
This prescription comes highly recommended from one of our city’s most notable naturopaths, Christian Limoges, I have included a healthy portion of yellow and orange fruit in my diet every morning for years. Even on vacation it’s easy and accessible to maintain and it doesn’t pose restrictions if you choose to fray for a heavier post-fruit breakfast. But first, break your fast with fruit.