1. Eggplant

One of my favorite purple foods is eggplant. It’s super easy to work with in the kitchen and it has a great flavor and texture. My favorite thing to do with eggplant is to whip up a batch of eggplant Parmesan. It turns out that eggplant also has lots of nutrients. That includes fiber for healthy digestion and the prevention of heart disease as well as loads of potassium, which is needed to regulate blood pressure. Eggplant also contains calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin A.

2. Grapes

Grapes come in a variety of colors, but purple ones are one of the best tasting varieties. That’s a good thing because they also contain a wealth of vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. Eating grapes means you are getting some iron, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin K. Grapes are great on their own, but they also work in fruit salad so try them mixed with other fruits for a tasty treat.

3. Purple Cauliflower

Maybe you’ve only tried the white variety, but purple cauliflower is a healthy alternative that you are going to love. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable, which some studies have found to be linked to cancer prevention. Cauliflower also contains calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin K and several B vitamins. Roast it for a healthy side dish that makes a great substitute for potatoes.

4. Blueberries

Technically, they are called blue, but most experts lump blueberries in with the purple foods category. These little gems taste so good that you won’t care what color they are. And if the great flavor wasn’t enough, blueberries are chock full of antioxidants, which help fight free radical damage, which in turn helps prevent health problems that range from cancer to heart disease. By eating blueberries you also increase your intake of potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K.

5. Plums

Now is the time to stock up on plums. There are piles of them all over farmers’ markets and grocery stores for less than a dollar a pound. Not only do they taste really good, but plums also contain healthy carbs, potassium, fiber and loads of vitamin A. Plums work really well in pies and tarts if you want a sweet treat. Of course, they also taste great on their own so toss one in your bag for a juicy snack.

6. Purple Cabbage

I love purple cabbage! It works really well for adding color and flavor to your favorite coleslaw recipe. One of my favorite things to do with purple cabbage is to cut it into quarters, brush it with olive oil and salt and pepper, then grill it for several minutes on each side. However you eat it, purple cabbage contains fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and B vitamins.

7. Blackberries

Blackberries are a sweet and juicy fruit that you can pop by the handful. They also work well in pies, fruit salad and smoothies. You’ll be happy to know that blackberries are really healthy and contain loads of fiber in addition to calcium, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A.

What’s your favorite purple food? I love them all so it’s hard to say which one I like best. Will you add any of these foods to your cart next time you shop for food?