Fruit Rainbow

Roy G. Biv.  I can remember the day my grandmother taught me that name as a way to remember the colors of the rainbow.  Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.  I’ve never forgotten it.

You have probably heard the term “eat the rainbow” as a way to encourage eating all the colorful foods that are so full of vitamins and anti-oxidants.  With this “recipe”, you can literally eat the rainbow.

I first made it for my younger son’s birthday party and we marveled at how there was more pizza leftover than fruit.  Presented in a fun way, kids really will eat healthy foods.  Before his last birthday, my older son asked for one, too.  I was happy to oblige!

Here are some colorful ideas.  Please comment with additional suggestions.  Maybe your kids have a thought or two, especially in the blue and purple categories!  Mini marshmallows make nice clouds, although for a totally healthy option, banana slices would work, too.  Next up:  a veggie rainbow!  (Send pictures if you make one!)

R  strawberries, red raspberries, watermelon

O  oranges, cantaloupe, peaches, clementines, mango

Y  bananas, pineapple, golden delicious apple slices

G  green grapes, kiwi slices, honeydew melon

B  blueberries, concord grapes

I  blackberries, black grapes

V  red grapes

On a large platter, assemble the fruit (chopped or sliced where necessary) from red to violet in the shape of a rainbow.  A white platter works well.  Mini marshmallows may be clustered at either end to serve as clouds.