Choose
the Colours of Health
It’s all about colour - blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange, and red – and the power of colourful fruits and vegetables to promote good health. So when you're grocery shopping, planning your meals or dining out, think colour! more >>
CARROTS
Nutritional Information
Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, which
our bodies turn into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for
good health and eyes. Carrots
are one of the best sources of Vitamin A. The nutrients found in carrots
helps:
• Maintain Vision
• Maintain healthy skin
• Strengthen the immune system
Carrots
have no fat, saturated fat or cholesterol.
Just one medium carrot or a handful of carrot crunchies counts as a serving
of your 5 A Day.
COLOURED CARROTS
Orange, yellow, red, purple and white.
Purple carrots are thought to have been originated from Egypt as
long ago as 2000 BC. In Roman times, purple or white carrots were eaten. In
the 14th centaury, purple, white and yellow carrots were imported to southern
Europe. it was not until the 16th centaury that Dutch growers were thought
to have developed the orange carrot. Watton Produce are re-launching
purple carrots to the UK supermarket shelves in Summer 2006.
Interesting
Facts
• Carrots are one of the best sources of
Vitamin A of all vegetables.
• Carrots were first grown as a medicine
not a food.
• The Romans ate carrots when they were
feeling unwell because they believed that they were good for the digestive
system.
• The first carrots were white, purple an
yellow. The Dutch developed orange
carrots. Watton Produce are re-launching purple carrots to the UK supermarket
shelves in Summer 2006.
• Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked (boiled,
roasted or steamed) and included in soups or stews.
PARSNIPS
Nutritional Information
Parsnips are a good source of vitamin C.
Including parsnips into your diet helps maintain a healthy heart, lower
cholesterol levels and a lower risk of some cancers.
Interesting Facts
• Parsnip origins date back to
the Ancient Romans.
• Not until the 19th centaury did the potato become more popular in Europe
and America and replaced the parsnip as the major food starch.
BEETROOT
Nutritional Information
• Beetroot is a great source of fibre and is low in fat.
• The vegetable is also believed to lower high blood fat levels, improve blood
glucose control in diabetics and help weight loss.
Interesting Facts
• Beetroot, originally grown only for its leaves, is native to Europe
and North Africa and dates back to prehistoric times.
• Most of the world's strawberry flavoured ice cream contains betanin either
from beetroot juice or beetroot colour.
MINI
CUCUMBERS
Nutritional Information
• Contains vitamins A and C.
• Contains iron and calcium.
Interesting Facts
• Cucumbers are one of the oldest cultivated plants. Cucumbers were one
of the favourite foods of the Pharaohs and when expelled from Egypt, the Hebrews
took cucumbers wit them.
• At certain times of the year the skin appearance of mini cucumbers will change. This
is because a different variety has come into season. Differences between
varieties include colour (lime green to dark green) and skin texture (smooth
to slightly rough).
• Mini cucumbers are fruits because they develop from pollinated flowers and
carry seed. However they are more often referred to as vegetables because
they are usually eaten in savoury dishes or salads.
• Cucumbers are 96% water.
• Cucumbers belong to the same family as pumpkins.
• Storing cucumbers with fruit will turn their skin yellow.