Lycopene: Nature's 'Red 40' without the side effects

Two conversations are happening in the nutrition world that intersect: whether raw food diets are indeed better for you, and whether Red 40 (the dye in many junk foods) could have a link to hyperactivity. The answer to both is the same: Lycopene.

The raw food diet took root in the 70s. It maintains that uncooked vegan foods maintain their vitamins and minerals and are therefore optimal for a healthier lifestyle. But some studies have found raw food vegans have low B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, calling it into question.

Red 40 is an artificial dye compound found in red soft drinks and candies among other things. Recently studies have linked it to hyperactivity in children. While the sugary foods it's in may be the true underlying cause, either way it's highly unnatural...and unnecessary.

Lycopene is a natural compound found in tomatoes, grapefruit, kidney beans, and watermelon. Broadly speaking, it is the compound that makes them red. Tomatoes are the primary source of lycopene for most Americans. For once, American's love of ketchup pays off in this instance.

Unlike many other nutrients that are diminished with cooking, 4x the amount of lycopene is found in a cooked tomato than in a fresh tomato. Combining it with a healthy fat like olive oil further aids absorption in the body. And it can be used as a natural food dye.

There's nothing better than a satisfying dish of pasta. And with a few tweaks, it doesn't have to have the same overly full, tiring effects you might be used to. A vegan swap on the sauce and a whole grain pasta make this very good and good for you, without being too complicated.

Ingredients:

1 Box whole wheat pasta (Barilla Plus)

1 each carrot, celery, onion, garlic finely chopped/pulse pureed

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Salt & Pepper to taste

24 oz tomato sauce

1 C red wine

4 C vegetable stock

1 C chopped walnuts

1 C brown lentils

Directions:

Add all ingredients except the pasta to a large pot on medium heat. Cook together approx. 35 minutes or until lentils are done, stirring frequently. Serve over a whole wheat pasta or a bean based pasta for a healthier alternative.