This month’s Life. Inspired. companywide wellness challenge is Color Your Plate, which focuses on eating right. Why Color Your Plate? Because when you eat fruits and vegetables that are a variety of colors, you’re more likely to get a broad range of nutrients. And diets rich in fruits and vegetables — and low in saturated fat and cholesterol — may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Here’s how it works:

• Track your fruit and vegetable servings by color beginning July 1. Colors to choose from are red, orange/yellow, green, white or blue/purple. Shop your store to learn what’s available.
• Enter your servings by color in PASSport each day. Your last servings must be entered by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, July 31.
• You get one point for each fruit or vegetable serving you eat. The first time you try a serving of a new fruit or vegetable, you get one additional point.

If you earn the minimum number of points for the week, as shown below, you’re entered in a random drawing to win a prize. Each week, 200 eligible associates will win these Life. Inspired. prizes:

• Week 1 — 20 points — set of measuring cups
• Week 2 — 25 points — set of measuring spoons
• Week 3 — 30 points — a fruit and veggie peeler
• Week 4 — 35 points — a lunch bag

The points for the weekly drawings do not roll over each week, so you have to challenge yourself a little more to hit the minimum points as the goal increases.

Your participation also can help your store or support area win a grand prize … and bragging rights! The winning store in each region will receive a Life. Inspired. trophy. The top store in each division and the top support area will win a special Color Your Plate celebration.

Go to www.publix.org > Life. Inspired. Program for additional challenge details, a link to track your servings and the grand prize leaderboards.

Let’s Color Your Plate and have fun!

 Sources: health.gov, fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org

What’s a serving of fruits or vegetables?
The USDA recommends at least one to two servings of fruits and two to three servings of vegetables each day. One serving is one cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables; one cup (8 oz.) of 100% fruit or vegetable juice; one-half cup of dried fruit; or two cups of raw leafy greens. Learn about serving sizes for other foods.

Before joining the challenge
Don’t forget to check with your doctor before participating in a wellness activity, including losing weight, changing your diet or starting an exercise program. If you have a health condition or special diet, you should identify the kinds and amounts of fruits and vegetables that meet your nutritional needs, consulting a doctor as necessary.