A Chili So Colorful Your Kids Might Actually Eat Their Veggies
If you’ve ever tired of convincing your child to eat more than just carrot sticks, this one’s for you. My Rainbow Chili is a hearty, flavorful, eczema-friendly recipe packed with plant diversity, and yes, even your veggie-averse kids might love it.
It’s the perfect comfort food: warm, rich, and nourishing, while quietly sneaking in 10 plant points (more on that later). Every spoonful feeds your family and their gut microbiome which is the secret to calmer skin, stronger immunity, and happier bellies.
TL;DR:
- Why plant diversity matters for eczema: Most kids eat the same few foods on repeat, which weakens gut diversity and can worsen inflammation and eczema symptoms.
- A gut- and skin-supportive solution: This Rainbow Chili delivers 10 plant points in one meal, feeding beneficial gut bacteria that help calm the immune system and support healthier skin.
- Simple, kid-approved, and eczema-friendly: Made with whole foods, anti-inflammatory spices, and dairy-optional toppings, this chili is hearty, comforting, and easy for families.
- Recipe: Scroll down to get the Rainbow Chili recipe and start adding more plant points to your family’s meals.
Rainbow Chili Recipe
Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6–8
Ingredients
- 1 (29 oz) can tomatoes, cut up
- 1 (10 oz) can chopped tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup vegetable juice (or tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix)
- 1 cup bone broth
- 1–2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp turmeric
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ lbs organic beef + ½ lb Italian sausage (or 2 lbs Italian sausage half mild/half spicy)
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 1½ cups chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans
- 1 (15 oz) can chili beans
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
- Cook on Low for 8 hours.
- Serve hot, topped with your favorites: avocado (more plant points!), cheese, or sour cream.
Plant Points: 10
That’s 10 different plant foods in one meal! (Beans, tomatoes, onions, celery, green pepper, corn, carrots, oregano, turmeric, garlic — yes, spices count!)
Why “Plant Points” Matter for Kids & Eczema
Here’s a gut-honest truth: most families eat the same five or six plants on repeat. And that’s a problem especially when we’re talking about eczema, gut health, and the immune system.
Out of over 400,000 plant species on Earth, about 300,000 are edible. But across the globe, humans regularly eat only 200 species, and in the U.S., three crops: corn, soy, and wheat — make up 60% of our diet.
Not great, friends. We have to be better for our guts, our skin, and our kids.
Plant diversity (learn more inside my plant challenge) isn’t just about being fancy with vegetables. Each different plant feeds different strains of gut bacteria. And those bacteria help regulate inflammation, digestion, mood, and skin health.
The more plant variety your family eats, the more resilient their gut microbiome becomes. That’s why I encourage my patients to count plant points, not calories. It’s an abundance mindset, not restriction.
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The Gut–Skin Connection
Let’s connect the dots:
When your gut is diverse and balanced, it produces anti-inflammatory compounds that calm the immune system and strengthen the skin barrier. That’s key for children (and adults) with eczema.
But when the gut is starved of fiber-rich, colorful foods, the beneficial bacteria die off — leaving room for inflammation to thrive.
Here’s the kicker: many families invest in probiotics (and I love a good probiotic!), but if we don’t feed those bacteria with plants, they’re simply pooped out. Literally that’s money down the toilet.
Feeding your microbiome with a rainbow of plants keeps good bacteria alive, reduces eczema triggers, and helps the skin heal from the inside out.
How Plant Diversity Re-Trains Kids’ Taste Buds
Kids aren’t born picky, they’re trained by their gut bacteria. Wild, right?
Doughnut-loving bacteria produce sugar-loving taste buds that rebel when broccoli shows up. But plant-loving bacteria create taste buds that actually enjoy veggies.
That means the more plants we offer (and re-offer), the more we grow a gut environment that wants variety. Within a few months, even the pickiest eater can start expanding their food comfort zone.
Every new plant counts toward healthier guts, calmer skin, and fewer battles at the dinner table.
Why This Chili Is Eczema-Friendly
- High in plant fiber: beans, veggies, and herbs feed good gut bacteria.
- Rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients: turmeric and garlic help reduce inflammation.
- Balanced protein sources: grass-fed beef and sausage support tissue repair without overloading the system.
- Dairy-optional toppings: easy to adapt for kids with dairy sensitivities.
Counting plant points isn’t a chore; it’s a celebration of variety.
Each new veggie or spice you add helps your child’s microbiome grow stronger and their eczema calm faster.
So next time you make dinner, ask: “How many colors (plants!) can I fit in this bowl?”
More Eczema-Friendly Meal Guides:
- Eczema-Friendly Breakfast Guide: Start your day with delicious, nutrient-rich options.
- Eczema-Friendly Lunch Guide: Simple, balanced meals perfect for lunchboxes or at-home days.
