We’re all aware that eating a wide variety of fruit and veg is a great way to keep ourselves healthy. But did you know, it’s also a good idea to vary the colours too?

As autumn draws in and leaves turn myriad shades of gold, now’s the perfect time to focus on similarly hued vegetables. It’s almost as if they know…

The cheery orange or yellow colour comes from natural plant pigments called ‘carotenoids’. Beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and eyes. Scientists have also reported that carotenoid-rich foods can help reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and can improve immune system function. Hooray!

Give your diet a boost by adding any of these golden veg to your beef stews, casseroles, cottage pie topping, soups, stir fries, tortillas – or simply having them steamed or roasted: