At Life Alive Cafe, eating meals rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals meals means tapping into the the full, beautiful spectrum of foods across various food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. It is a way to make sure our bodies are thriving but also a vibrant feast for the eyes!
Phytonutrients are the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich chemicals found in plants that help support a healthy human body, including decreased risk of chronic diseases.
Plants contain different pigments, or phytonutrients, which give them their color. And each color (including white and brown!) offers a different array of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients are the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich chemicals found in plants that help support a healthy human body, including decreased risk of chronic diseases.
The health benefits linked to each color:
Red + Dark Red:
Red and dark red foods have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. They have been shown to reduce sun-related skin damage, support athletic performance through increased oxygen uptake and lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers.
Red at Life Alive:
Beets: Get your earthy beet fix in the Buddha Bowl, Rainbow Harvest or Adventurer.
Tomatoes: Enjoy a burst of tart, sweet tomatoes in the Mediterranean Falafel Wrap.
Strawberries: Treat yourself to a PB&J Açaí.
Raspberries: Refresh with a Blue Raspberry Açaí Smoothie.
Yellow + Orange:
Yellow and orange foods are known to support the endocrine system, eye health, fertility and may help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Yellow + Orange at Life Alive:
Sweet Potatoes: Let your cares melt away with the silky smooth whipped sweet potatoes atop the Rainbow Harvest.
Butternut Squash: Pair a smooth and savory Butternut Bisque with any salad or wrap.
Carrots: Jumpstart the day with a Morning Moxie Cold-Pressed Juice.
Mango & Pineapple: Rehydrate with a refreshing Mango Slush Smoothie.
Turmeric & Ginger: Wake up your senses with a shot of Fresh-Pressed Turmeric or Ginger.
Green:
The phyotochemicals in green foods are packed with antioxidants and support healthy blood circulation. Cruciferous veggies in particular may help lower risk of cancer and heart disease.
Green at Life Alive:
Avocado: Packed with healthy fats, avocados can be enjoyed in so many dishes across the Life Alive menu. Our guest favorites include the Green Goddess, Avocado Greens Salad, Rainbow Nori Wrap and Avocado Toast.
Kale: Get your dark leafy greens in the Adventurer, Tuscan Kale or Super Greens Smoothie.
Brussels Sprouts: A fall & winter delicacy, enjoy Brussels sprouts roasted on the Autumn Falafel and shaved in the Autumn Chopped Salad.
Broccoli: Get your vitamins with steamed broccoli in the Teriyaki Shiitake Wrap.
Fresh Herbs: Give your palette a bright burst of freshness with fresh cilantro and mint on the Chilled Thai Noodles.
Wheatgrass: Drench your body in nutrients with a Fresh-Pressed Wheatgrass Shot.
Blue + Purple:
Blue and purple foods are known to support healthy mood balance, improve brain function, lower the risk of heart disease, neurological disorders, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Blue + Purple at Life Alive:
Açaí Berries: Enjoy a blissfully smooth, tart and sweet açai bowl.
Blue-Green Algae: Come back to balance with the refreshingly smooth Ocean Blue Latte.
Blueberries: Savor this superfood in the Super Berry Açaí.
Purple Cabbage: Get a crunchy nutrient boost with purple cabbage in the Southwest Sol.
7 Tips to Incorporate the Rainbow into Your Day to Day
Add a colorful array of plant foods with these tips from one of Life Alive's nutrition consultants, Alicia Romano, RDN:
Try a different whole grain this week like quinoa, rice, farrow, buckwheat, amaranth or barley.
Vary your protein routine with a focus on increasing more plant-based protein options like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu or chickpeas.
Focus on healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocado or plant-based oils.
Prepare your plant foods in different ways for delicious variety—raw, steamed, roasted, grilled, sautéed or stir-fried.
Choose a salad! Power it up with grains, roasted vegetables, seeds or hummus.
Start your day with a 16oz glass of water enhanced with fresh lemons, cucumbers or berries.
Always leave room for celebratory foods, cultural foods and the foods you enjoy most! Eating should always be a pleasurable experience.
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