by Nimali Fernando, a.k.a. Doctor Yum

Encourage kids to eat a rainbow every day! When it comes to food, presentation is everything. You can make kids' plates more exciting by offering bites of food in a rainbow of colors. Not only are different colored foods pretty, but they offer a variety of plant nutrients that are important to raising healthy kids. Spring and summer are the best times to explore the myriad of colorful local foods.

Farmers markets are full of produce in surprising hues. For hesitant eaters, finding a food they like in a color that's unexpected is a great way to give them confidence that they can try new foods.

• If your little ones like carrots, don't stop at orange, but instead try them in purple, yellow and white.
• Show your kids that cauliflower can be green, purple and orange, too!
• At area farmers markets, peppers can be found in almost every color of the rainbow.
• Ask your kids to sample different colors of produce and tell you if there are subtle differences in flavor.

Visit www.todayiatearainbow.com to find all kinds of ways to encourage kids to eat a rainbow each day. Teach your kids that healthy food is beautiful and fun!

If you are interested in a fantastic cooking and tasting experience where kids will cook with a rainbow of fresh local foods, check out our classes, spring break sessions and summer camps offered in the Doctor Yum Project Kitchen. Visit doctoryum.org to learn more.