We all know that vegetables are a necessity for growing children, pregnant women and other individuals for health purposes. They are very rich with various nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and proteins, thus providing a healthy metabolism. But have you ever wondered why are these vegetables different in color and what could be the significance of this variation on our body? These color differences are mainly because of the various components of the vegetables, that are responsible for specific activities inside our body. The colors that are found in vegetables other than green are; red, purple, orange and yellow. In this article we will be reading all about names of yellow/orange vegetables and their nutrients. Therefore, take a look at the list of yellow vegetables mentioned in the paragraphs below and find out how are they beneficial to our body.
Yellow Vegetables List
Vegetables can be in the form of either leaves, fruits, flowers or roots of a particular plant. These edible parts of the plant have a specific color because of the presence of certain pigments. The most common pigments found in plants are; chlorophyll responsible for green, and carotenoids as well as flavonoids responsible for red, yellow and orange color. In the paragraphs below, you will come across a list of yellow vegetables and their components which are very essential for the various functions in our body. Keep reading!
| Squashes |
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The squash vegetable refers to a collection of 4 species of the Cucurbita genus and is available in different shapes and sizes. All the 4 varieties of squash are yellow, orange and red in color because of the presence of the pigment lycopene which is a carotenoid responsible for red to yellow color in the vegetable. The squash varieties are described in the following points;
- Acorn Squash: This squash belongs to the species, C. pepo which has a green skin with orange colored patches on it. The squash has orange flesh and a sweet flavor.
- Butternut Squash: The butternut is the most commonly eaten squash is pear shaped with a yellow colored skin and orange flesh. It has a sweet to bland taste as well, and belongs to the species C. moschata.
- Turban Squash: Usually green in color, this is a winter squash which has striped skin and orange flesh like the other squashes. It has a buttery taste to it and belongs to the species, C. pepo, as it is also a type of pumpkin.
- Other squashes that are eaten are; hubbard squash, cushaw squash, summer squash, zucchini, etc. All these contain carotenoids for pigmentation and nutrients like minerals and vitamins to make them healthy diet options.
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| Pumpkins |
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The classification of pumpkin is Cucurbita. cucurbitaceae, where Cucurbita is the genus of squashes and cucurbitaceae is the family which includes other gourd vegetables. Since, it belongs to the Cucurbita genus, there are pumpkins that come under the four varieties of squashes as well. Pumpkins are large and round in shape, with a thick yellow to orange shell and a dense orange flesh that harbors seeds. They are very rich in nutrients like vitamins and minerals, most important being lutein. Like the squashes mentioned above, there is abundance of both alpha and beta carotene that gives the yellow color. Pumpkins are delicious vegetables that are used to make pies, mashes, soups and sauces. |
| Rutabagas |
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The next in the yellow vegetables list is the Rutabaga which is also called the yellow turnip or Brassica napobrassica. This is basically a root vegetable which is a cross breed between cabbage and turnip, but the leaves can be consumed as well. It is a round root which has a purple skin, but the flesh is yellow in color and thick in nature. It consists of 1 mcg of beta carotene which is responsible for the yellow flesh, along with other nutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamins A, D, E, K, etc. |
| Sweet Corn |
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The yellow sweet corn is the richest source of lutein, a nutrient that works for perfect eyesight and a healthy cardiovascular system. I am sure all of you love to have baked or grilled sweet corn during barbecues or picnics. This one of the many yellow vegetables is surely a great addition to daily food. Yellow sweet corn has about 47 mcg of beta carotene and 114 mcg of beta cryptoxanthin, both used for heavy pigmentation. It is also a rich source of vitamins A, B6, E, K, minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorous. |
| Lemon |
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Both the tree and its fruit go by the name of lemon, but since we are talking about yellow vegetables we will refer to the lemon fruit. This is a citrus fruit, also known as a vegetable and belongs to the species, C. limon. It is an oval shaped yellow fruit that is used for its sweet and sour juice. The presence of certain carotenoids leads to the color yellow in this vegetable too. Lemons are very rich in vitamin C as they belong to the citrus family. Other than vitamin C, there are considerable amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and minerals such as, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, etc. Squeezing one lemon in your food daily is the best way to stay away from all diseases as it helps in building your immune system as well. |
Others in the list of vegetables that are yellow in color are displayed in the table below.
| Persimmons/Yellow Tomatoes |
Sweet Potatoes |
Yellow Potatoes |
Yellow Peppers |
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With this list of yellow vegetables mentioned above, hope you have learned new facts about their nutritional values. So, make sure you include these vegetables in your diet and keep your family and children healthy.
