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:
| Apples | Beets | Cherries | Cranberries | Kidney beans |
| Pink grapefruit | Pomegranates | Raspberries | Red cabbage | Red grapes |
| Red peppers | Red onions | Strawberries | Tomatoes | Watermelon |
| 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
Here are few fun red and green recipes!
*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)
Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children at Mealtimes, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
