10 Colorful Ingredients To Make Healthy and Pretty Instagrammable Meals

If you’ve followed social media for any length of time, you’ve probably seen beautiful images of food that make you think, “How did they make this?”

Well, there are actually some easy tricks to making perfectly colorful, social-media ready meals. Maybe you’ve heard the saying “Eat your colors?” As it turns out, differently colored fruits, veggies, and spices can have diverse health benefits to help provide a balanced diet.

Here are some colorful, healthy ingredients that can help you rack up likes and shares while getting plenty of nutrition.

1. Matcha

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Not only does matcha, a type of green tea, have a vibrant green color, but it’s also great for your health! Matcha is packed with antioxidants called catechins and has also been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease, cancer, and type-2 diabetes.

Try using matcha in stunning green recipes like this Cafe Style Matcha Tea Latte and these Matcha Green Tea Cupcakes.

2. Turmeric

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Turmeric’s been popular for a while now, and for good reason! While it has a gorgeous golden color that’s perfect for adding vibrancy to any stir-fry or vegan cheese alternative, it’s also praised for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Try using turmeric in this beautiful Turmeric Ginger Oatmeal or this Liquid Gold Turmeric Latte to make all your friends on social media jealous!

3. Blackberries

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If you’re looking to add a dark color to your meal without using charcoal (which has been said to absorb toxins, but can also absorb important nutrients from your body), take a look at blackberries as an alternative! They may not have the inky black shade of charcoal, but they’re packed with vitamins like C and K as well as manganese, and they add their own vibrant deep purple hue to any dish.

Try using blackberries to add a gorgeous color to this Blackberry Açaí Nice Cream and this Apple and Blackberry Crumble!

4. Red Cabbage

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Salads don’t have to look boring! In fact, adding a colorful ingredient like red cabbage to your salad can make it much healthier. Red cabbage has plenty of vitamin C and fiber without any fat. It’s also rich in vitamin K, so pile it on your next salad!

Try using red cabbage for a dramatic splash of color in this these Apples Stuffed With Red Cabbage and Cranberries and this Roasted Purple Cabbage With Green Goddess Dressing.

5. Blueberries

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This fruit has a naturally deep blue hue that photographs well whether the berries are cooked into something or simply raw. Blueberries’ color isn’t just for show, though! They’ve got a ton of healthy antioxidants to help protect against heart disease and cancer, in addition to providing a rich source of vitamins C and K. They’ve also been shown to help improve bone strength and promote healthy skin!

Use blueberries for this delicious-looking Raw Orange and Blueberry Cheesecake and this Blueberry Balsamic Tempeh Over Spring Salad and become the envy of all your followers.

6. Kiwi

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Kiwi is a perfect and unexpected way to add a bright, tropical green color to your favorite salad, fruit plate, or smoothie. It’s also a good source of fiber, which helps aid digestion, and the vitamin C in kiwi can help boost your immune system. At least one study has also found kiwi consumption to be helpful for those who have asthma. Plus, the bioactive substances within kiwi fruits have been found to help lower blood pressure even more than other fruits.

Use kiwi fruits in this these Kiwi Spinach Popsicles and this Raw Kiwi Tart with Ginger, Mint and Coconut.

7. Mango

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With its beautiful yellow color, mango is an important addition to any colorful summer meal. It’s also very good for you! Mango has a number of antioxidants like beta carotene, as well as a ton of vitamin C and vitamin A, which is important for protecting your eyesight. One cup of mango also has 12 percent of your daily fiber, so don’t skip this tangy and sweet golden fruit!

Try adding some mango to your diet with this these Mango Cheesecake Bars and this Mango Rice Bowl!

8. Beets

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Beets are amazing for adding a deep red-purple color to almost any dish. You can also get some pretty great health benefits from these root veggies. Beets have been shown to help lower blood pressure and provide valuable nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and folate, in addition to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Try beets in this Kale, Beet, and Pecan Salad With Ginger Dressing and this Crispy Beet Flatbread!

9. Saffron

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Have you ever used saffron? This fragrant spice is perfect for adding a deep golden tone to food. It’s also known for promoting heart health, aiding in weight loss, and containing magnesium, iron, and potassium along with vitamin C.

Use saffron to make this eye-popping Saffron Barley With Black-Eyed Peas and this Saffron Risotto With Roasted Vegetables.

10. Lavender

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Lavender, in addition to its elegant light purple color, has antioxidant benefits and can even help relieve stress and anxiety. Lavender can also promote healthy skin and hair with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Try using some lavender in these adorable Mini Raw Blueberry Lavender Cheesecakes and Raw Lavender Cheesecake Bars!

Looking for more beautiful, colorful plant-based food? Check out these stunning meals from Instagram.

Download the Food Monster App. With over 10,000 recipes right in the palm of your hand, you’ll always have something delicious and new to try. It’s available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. Full of allergy-friendly recipes, subscribers gain access to new recipes every day.

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