Among the most nutritious are carrots, orange peppers, sweet potatoes, and winter squashes, including pumpkin

These vegetables, exemplified by their vibrant color, are good sources of vitamin C, folic acid and other B vitamins, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, and carotenoids. Due to their fiber content, these vegetables are quite satiating. And the vitamin A is important for healthy skin, nails, and hair.

Orange vegetables are excellent sources of alpha-carotenoids, lutein, and most notably, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene and its family of carotenoids have anticancer functions and strengthen the immune system. Beta-carotene is associated with a reduced risk of breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer.

Simple and delicious – these vegetables are great oven roasted. Eat these vegetables regularly – if not daily, several times a week. Foods rich in beta-carotene are more easily absorbed when cooked, juiced, or blended. Cooking and processing helps break down their tough cellular walls and make the beta-carotene more available to the body's tissues. To discuss a few...