Did you know the foods we grow and eat can help our bodies in many different ways? Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help us grow, move, think, and play. Eating colorful garden foods helps keep our bodies strong and healthy.

Different vegetables help different parts of the body. Carrots contain nutrients that help support healthy eyes and vision. Leafy greens like lettuce and herbs have vitamins that help our bodies stay healthy and strong. Tomatoes contain nutrients that help support healthy skin and our immune system, which helps our bodies fight sickness.

Garden foods can also help our muscles and bones. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and beans contain nutrients that help our muscles work when we run, jump, climb, and play sports. Some foods, like leafy greens, peas, and broccoli, also contain calcium and other minerals that help build strong bones and teeth as kids grow.

Healthy foods also give us energy. Our bodies use nutrients from food like fuel for a car. Without healthy foods, we may feel tired or have trouble focusing at school or during activities. Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins helps give our bodies steady energy throughout the day.

One fun way to eat healthy is by eating many different colors of fruits and vegetables. Green cucumbers, red tomatoes, orange carrots, and leafy herbs all contain different nutrients. The more colorful your plate is, the more kinds of nutrients your body can enjoy!

Try It!

Make a “rainbow plate” with the help of an adult. Try choosing fruits and vegetables in different colors like red tomatoes, orange carrots, green lettuce, cucumbers, or herbs. Count how many colors you can add to your meal or snack.

As you eat, think about how each food may help your body. 

You can also draw an outline of a body on paper and label different body parts like eyes, muscles, bones, and brain. Then draw or write garden foods next to the body parts they help support.

For an extra challenge, keep a healthy food journal for one day. Write down the colorful fruits and vegetables you eat and how you feel afterward. Do you feel energized, strong, or ready to play?