Flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetables are just a few of the plants that can be produced in a garden… inside or outside. Depending on the purpose of your garden’s design, you can grow whatever you desire for optimal nutrition.
If you’re unsure where to begin, think of a rainbow as a starting point. To gain the most nutrition from the crops you’re cultivating in your garden, you should eat foods from every color of the rainbow. Here are some options to consider if you’re growing food for optimal nutrition.
Vegetables Rich in Color
Colorful veggies are high in nutrients, so this would be a good place to start. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, while beets are high in folate, Vitamin C, and fiber. Anthocyanins, which have been demonstrated to prevent heart disease and some types of cancer, are found in abundance in red cabbage.
Red Fruits and Berries
Red fruits and berries, in addition to colorful vegetables, are helpful to your diet. Tomatoes, watermelons, strawberries, and raspberries are examples of this. Antioxidants are found in abundance in all of these foods, and they assist to protect the body from disease.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are a nutritional powerhouse that provide health benefits that many people aren’t aware of. Did you know that basil, for example, is a natural anti-inflammatory? Or that mint can assist to calm a tummy ache? Vitamin C is abundant in parsley, and Vitamin A is abundant in chives. Herbs are a great addition to any garden, and they’re also simple to grow.
Leafy Greens
Dark, leafy greens are high in iron and are called superfoods due to their nutritional profile. Cabbage and Brussel sprouts are two other leafy greens with a robust, hearty, and healthful foundation.
Vitamin C, which has been shown to help prevent disease, is abundant in Brussels sprouts. Eating cabbage can help decrease cholesterol levels. If you prefer crimson cabbage to green cabbage, you can grow it as well.
Spinach, for example, can be produced in any environment and will provide you with food for weeks rather than just one picking session. With leafy greens, you’ll usually start with the largest leaves on the outside and work your way in as it continues to nourish you.
Broccoli is another nutrient-rich green food that might help you achieve your health goals. Broccoli is another item that grows well in a variety of climates and is high in vitamin B, fiber, and calcium.
Fruit Trees
Growing your own fruit trees is another option to give your body with optimal nutrition. Apples, for example, are high in quercetin, a potent antioxidant. Apricots are high in beta-carotene and Vitamin A, as well as a number of antioxidants that help decrease cholesterol and prevent cancer.
The Colors of the Rainbow
Consider the colors of the rainbow while choosing the best vegetables to produce in your garden for optimal nutrition. Include a variety of nutrient-dense foods. You can supply your body with all the nutrients it requires to stay healthy and happy with just a little effort!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6470739/