Why are things good for me?

[Lawks]

My husband and children are forever asking me why whatever we're eating is good for them. It's more in the spirit of enquiry than hostility, but I hardly ever know the answer.

I can do the easy ones; cheese contains calcium which is good for nails and bones; kiwis contain vitamin C which is good for... erm... the immune system? Dark leafy veg contain calcium and iron? Good for nails, bones and blood?

But why are mushrooms good for us?
Why are lychees good for us?

I realise that not everything is a superfood, and cheese contains salt and fat, and lychees are high in sugar etc etc, but assuming that we're not eating processed junk, I assume that most foods contain something beneficial?

Can anyone help, or is this too rambly and vague?

Mushrooms are good for folate don't quite know why

Lychees probably have vit C

Yes most foods contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids which are all essential to function, repair, maintain etc

And foods of different colours contain difference minerals and vitamins, so choose a mix of food colours

Folate? Never heard of it. Isn't there zink in mushrooms?

Ahh yes, I knew about the mix of colours, but which colours mean what? And why?

Here's quite a good article about the colours of fruit and veg

That's exactly what I was asking about. Great link. Thank you Guacamole (avocados reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost immune system activity. Good work!)