Pink and Red Food Nutritional Benefits (+ Recipes for Valentine’s Day!)
It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, and you may be surrounded by pink and red wrapped chocolates, candies, or thinking of ways to bring these festive twists into your meals this weekend for a little special treat.
That’s so fun. I am all about the themed food.
But It’s also got me thinking about foods that are naturally pink and red and their nutritional components that make them so, and what those benefits are.
Why Eat Red?
Many red fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants like lycopene and anthocyanins which help with things like reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, macular degeneration, and prostate cancer.
Naturally Occurring Red Food
There are so many delicious red foods out there to get in on the receiving end of those antioxidants.
Some of my favourites:
Beets
Strawberries
Cherries
Red Cabbage
Red Bell Peppers
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Rhubarb
Swiss Chard
Cranberries
Raspberries
Grapefruit
Pomegranate
Blood Orange
Red Food Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Now that we’ve unlocked the benefits of all of those delicious red foods, I wanted to share some fun and yummy Valentine’s Day treats that harness their power.
Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Sorbet by Bon Appetit
Roasting the strawberries brings out a new dimension to the flavour.
Ruby Salad with Crumbled Feta & Spicy Pepitas by Fine Cooking
Beets, red cabbage and red onions make this salad both very red and very delicious!
Tomato and Anchovy Tart by Food Republic
Add a sophisticated French flair to your red Valentine’s day dinner.
Roasted Spiced Rhubarb with Dates and Yogurt by Bon Appetit
This uniquely delicious recipe could double as breakfast or dessert.
Raspberry Dutch Baby by Two Peas and Their Pod
A dutch baby is like a giant pancake that’s cooked in the oven. A yummy Valentine’s day breakfast.
Valentine’s Day Superfood Trailmix by Eating Birdfood
For your Valentine’s day hike of course.
Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers by Making Thyme for Health
A vegetarian and gluten-free side or main dish.
Happy Valentine’s Day!