1. The Advantages of Lutein
When nutritionists talk about yellow vegetables, they are referring to orange vegetables as well. Yellow and orange pigment can be found in corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and tomatoes. These vegetables contain lutein, a carotenoid that protects against eye disorders that are associated with aging. Lutein can also protect the carotid artery from collecting plaque, which can lead to a heart attack. Some yellow/orange vegetables, like orange bell peppers, contain another carotenoid known as zeaxanthin, which also protects the eyes, especially from the harmful effects of sunlight. Although lutein supplements are available, eating yellow-orange vegetables is better because our bodes absorb lutein and other nutrients better from whole foods.
2. Stay Safe With Yellow Vegetables
In addition to keeping your eyes healthy, dark yellow vegetables can also prevent cancer. They are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, both of which have been shown to protect against cancer and other degenerative diseases. Vitamin A can be toxic when it is taken at high doses in supplement form, but you can’t overdose on it if you get it from natural sources. Therefore, eating dark yellow vegetables is a much safer than taking supplements.
3. Perform Tricks With Yellow Vegetables
Most people like the taste of carrots, but sometimes we forget to incorporate other dark yellow vegetables into our meal plans. Most dark yellow vegetables are actually sweet when they are cooked, which is an advantage for people who don’t like most vegetables. If you have children who don’t like vegetables, you can “trick” them by adding grated carrots to sandwiches and adding squash to casseroles.
4. Pumpkin is Not Just For Halloween
Pumpkin is popular around Halloween and Thanksgiving, but you can also find lots of recipes for pumpkin bread and other items that can be served throughout the year. Pumpkin is actually a squash, and there are lots of other forms of squash that people often don’t think about as well. For example, butternut squash can be sweetened with cinnamon and sugar or made into a soup. There are so many different types of squash that you can try, including acorn squash, spaghetti squash, autumn cup squash and carnival squash. Experiment with different types and see what types you like. Another advantage to eating squash is that it often allows you to eat locally and in season, which is good for the environment as well as for your health.
About this Author
Irene Durham has more than 20 years experience as a health and science writer. She has developed hundreds of brochures, monographs, articles and continuing education programs for physicians and patients. Durham has received awards from the Rx club and the Society for Biomedical Communications. She is currently completing a Master’s program in nutrition and competes in triathlons.
