Quote from Dr. Garrett Smith on March 14, 2019, 10:16 pm

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

Before I head into this, it should be known that I do personally eat fruits and vegetables, and I very much keep them to ONLY the ones lowest in carotenoids (Poison/"Vitamin A").  That said, I think we have all been sold a false bill of goods that an EXCESS of fruits and veg are needed for health, and even WORSE, is the idea of "Eat the Rainbow", which nearly guarantees a very large consumption of carotenoids.

I did some research on the history of "Eat the Rainbow", because I was positive beyond a doubt that this is not a "traditional" or "historical" idea, and that it was a farce created within our lifetimes.  I was right.  Here are the most notable books and websites that I was able to find on the internet, as far back as I could find them.

The very first rainbow reference I could find was 1980:

Book: The Rainbow Diet Book by Mindy Weisel

Mindy Weisel is a noted artist who is included in the American Archives of American Artists.

Do artists like colors?  Should artists be regarded as nutrition experts? Just simple questions to start us off.

It all starts in earnest around 2001...

Book: What Color Is Your Diet? (2001)

Don‘t settle for a diet that‘s mainly beige or white!

Actually, consumption of white- and cream-colored flesh fruits and vegetables have been linked to lower rates of stroke and other diseases.

Book: The Color Code: A Revolutionary Eating Plan for Optimum Health (2002)

Book: Colorfully Slim: The 7-Day Color Diet and Lifetime Health Plan (2003)

Chapter 1 - It took an Artist, a Nutritionist, and an Esthetician to develop the 7-Day Color Diet

Mindy Weisel (the artist) comes up again.  You have been sold a farcical nutrition idea because an artist thought the colors were pretty.  The esthetician is another nice touch.

So, several books came out, none from "official" sources.  Now, on to the "more official" appearances of "Eat the Rainbow" that I could find:

They started with the children, and it was started by corporations!  Are you surprised?

2003, There's a Rainbow on My Plate!

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), Dole Food Company, Inc. and the Crayola® brand have once again partnered to create an innovative, educational program that teaches young children and their families about 5 A Day and the importance of eating a variety of colorful, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables every day for better health. The successful program, initially launched in March 2003, called "There's a Rainbow on My Plate," has been revitalized with more color for families to enjoy this spring.

2005, Sesame Street: Episode 4085, Healthy Food Game Show

Song: I Eat the Colors of the Rainbow

2005, a teacher's third-grade curriculum: Eating the Rainbow: A Student's Guide to Healthy Foods That Grow

2006, the first mention on PubMed: Add more color to your diet. At the end of this rainbow, plates of heart-healthy foods.

2007, on WebMD: With Fruits and Veggies, More Matters

It's important to eat a rainbow of colored fruits and vegetables every day, Ward says.

2009: It’s time for a reminder to “eat the rainbow.”

2011: Eat Right with Color

Posted on 03/1/2011
This year the American Dietetic Association (ADA) is focusing its month-long awareness campaign to "Eat Right with Color," which is this year's theme for National Nutrition Month.

If you haven't seen my article on aposematism, or how Nature marks poisonous organisms with bright colors, particularly the carotenoid colors of yellow, orange, and red, you might want to check that out.

I'm going to finish with two more articles that go deeper into the non-scientific backing of the "5-a-Day" campaigns:

Five a day: The truth

"Fruits and vegetables as pathogens?" translated article

"Eat a rainbow" is a farce and a fraud.