As you learn more about nutrition you may find the issue of eating an appropriately balanced meal to be a bit confusing. There isn’t any, single super food that provides the body with all that it needs. Instead we need to nourish the body with balanced amounts of good, whole foods which provide a variety of nutrients and other beneficial nutritional components to promote good health. Amazingly enough, nature was designed to give us some clues. Many fruits and vegetables are color coded to help identify the types of nutrients found within. By striving to eat a more “colorful” diet, we can better achieve a balanced intake of healthful food and benefit from better nutritional support.

The antioxidant Lycopene provides a red color to some fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes. When the tomato is vine-ripened the color of the meat inside is a very deep red indicating higher levels of Lycopene than what is found in green-harvested varieties. Lycopene has been shown to protect the DNA from free-radical attacks which reduces mutation and incidence of cancerous cell development.

An orange color indicates the presence of Carotenes which are converted to Vitamin A inside the body. Studies have shown that while chemically isolated Vitamin A supplements may exhibit liver toxicity at very low levels, carotenes derived from food have been shown to be safe even at very high dosages. Carrots are an excellent source of carotenes, but remember that cooking damages this antioxidant so raw, or lightly cooked carrots are necessary for optimal nutritional support.

Yellow is the color of Lutein and Quercitin. These nutrients are beneficial for clear vision and good health of the retina and have also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. They are found in corn, bell peppers, apples and pears, but are also found in many green, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach. Antocyanines are found in foods influenced by the purple color. These antioxidants are important for good blood circulation and health of the retina. Many berries are rich with this antioxidant and again they should be eaten raw for the best nutritional benefit. Finally a scarlet color comes from foods containing the antioxidant Beta Cyanine. An excellent source of this color comes from the beet and has an anti-anemic benefit to those who include this regularly in the diet.

Having a lifestyle aimed at health and wellness can bring about many benefits. You have an abundance of energy, can do much more and lead a more meaningful life. On the contrary, just imagine if you are tired, sick or bedridden all the time. Here are 7 super tips to lead a life of health and wellness:

1. Eat Healthily. Your daily meals should consist of a healthy balance of foods. This should also feature plenty of green leafy vegetables and water. Knowing what your body needs, and not going overboard, or eating too little can help in determining a more balanced lifestyle. There are plenty of nutritional guides to turn to in order to find what your body needs.

2. Exercise. This should be done at least four or five times a week. This helps your body to build muscle in several different areas, be fit, lose weight and prevent illnesses and disease.

3. Sleep. Many nowadays are finding that they are missing out on sleep due to a hectic lifestyle. However, if you are sleep deprived, your body will never be able to operate at its optimum. Make sure that you feel rested and are getting the right amount of sleep. This will allow your body to work at a consistent and full speed every day.

4. Relax and de-stress. Stress is a trigger for many diseases and illnesses. An overworked body is never able to function well in the long run. Taking breaks can rejuvenate you and help you to cope with challenges better when you return from your breaks. Also, don’t you find that sometimes, your best ideas come when you are at your most relaxed state?

5. Fight addictions. This extends from alcohol addictions, drug addictions and smoking. All these habits cause toxin buildup in your body and are likely to result in cancer and all sorts of ailments.

6. Keep an active brain. Keep learning and improving. Just like your body, your brain needs its exercise and food too. An active brain keeps you alert, interested and allows you to attain an overall sense of well-being.

7. Enhance your spiritually. It is not just the mind or the body. Your spirit needs to be well and at peace too. An appreciation of what you have is important to keep your spirits up in times of adversity or even in your daily life. Undertake regular meditation or activities that help in your spiritually on a regular basis.