Eating several servings of a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables a day helps maintain good health and reduces the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Have some fun with the red and green colors during the winter holiday season. Here's a list of red and green fruits and vegetables:
Red Fruits and Vegetables
Apples
Beets
Cherries
Cranberries
Kidney beans
Pink grapefruit
Pomegranates
Raspberries
Red cabbage
Red grapes
Red peppers
Red onions
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Green Fruits and Vegetables
Asparagus
Cabbage
Green grapes
Honeydew melon
Okra
Broccoli
Green apple
Green onions
Leafy greens
Peas
Brussels sprouts
Green beans
Green peppers
Limes
Zucchini
Red and green fruit/vegetable combinations:
Red and green apple slices surrounding your favorite fruit dip like a wreath
Coleslaw with red apple chunks
Coleslaw with cherry tomato or grape tomato halves
Tomato soup garnished just before serving with a sprinkle of green onion stems, sliced into small rings
Small sprigs of red and green grapes used as an edible garnish around a holiday meat and cheese platter
Peas garnished with bits of pimiento
Pomegranate juice garnished with a slice of lime
Juicy pomegranate seeds tossed atop a green salad
Pizza with a tomato sauce and chopped green peppers
*Use caution when serving fruits and vegetables to children especially those under 4 years of age because they are at the greatest risk of choking. Prevent choking by cutting food in small pieces--no larger than one-half inch (½"). Additional tips to prevent choking:
Cook or steam hard food, like carrots, until it is soft enough to pierce with a fork.
Have your child eat at the table. Do not let your child run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouth.
Keep a watchful eye on your child while he or she eats.
Encourage children to eat slowly and to chew completely before swallowing.
Sources:
Fruits, MyPlate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Vegetables, MyPlate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)