Color Nutrition

We should all be working toward health. One of the best ways you can do this is to pay attention to your diet and food choices. It is through choosing the right balance of foods that color can work every day to improve your overall health and prevent illness and disease. That's what color nutrition is all about, learning why you should get plenty of some foods and you should limit other foods to bring balance to your body.

Yin and Yang Foods
Foods can be associated with the energies of yin and yang. Yin energies are cool and pacifying. Yin foods are more alkaline and found in violet, indigo and blue foods. Yang energies are energizing and stimulating. Yang foods are more acidic and found in yellow, orange and red foods. Green foods tend to be a balance of these two energies making them a neutral color group. Green foods absorb the energies of the sun’s rays and give us essential minerals, nutrients and vitamins.

When a diet is high in either the yin or yang foods, you may experience cravings for the opposite foods as your body is striving for balance. This is why many times dark, leafy green vegetables are recommended for good overall health - it is to bring balance to the body.

The Chakras
Just as food color is associated with yin and yang energies, it can also be connected with your chakras. Certain foods are beneficial for energizing and balancing your chakra centers. Chakras are energy centers that are aligned at different points in our body. The location of the seven chakras represent different aspects of our life experience. Our emotions, physical health and ability to connect with others are reflected by the condition of each of our chakras.

Foods for Balance
Red foods for the root chakra (yang energy) for grounding and increasing your appetite for life. Red foods are a good source of protein, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Good choices include red potatoes, radishes, red peppers, red apples, cherries, strawberries, red meats, kidney beans and tomatoes.

Orange foods are for the sacral chakra (yang energy), for nurturing your creative self and keeping and alert mind. Orange foods help the body with removing toxins and provide minerals such as zinc and selenium. Mangos, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, pumpkins, squash and grains are great additions to include in your diet.

Yellow foods for the solar plexus chakra (yang energy) for boosting your self-esteem and keeping a positive outlook. Yellow foods help to build the immune system. Try adding some lemons, pineapple, yellow pepper, bananas, poultry, eggs, rice, corn and cheeses to your daily food selections.

Green foods for the heart chakra (which is neutral combination of yin and yang energies) for balancing your body emotionally and physically. Green foods decrease your cravings and give you a greater sense of well-being. Look to add spinach, broccoli, green cabbage, peas, limes, kiwi, asparagus, green peppers and green beans to your diet.

Blue foods are for the throat chakra (yin energy), for increasing your ability to communicate and expressing your thoughts. Blue foods also help fight free radicals in your body. Good choices include plums, blueberries, eggplant, fish, purple cabbage, spices, red grapes and blackberries.

Indigo and violet foods are for the third eye and crown chakras (both yin energies), for developing your intuition and awakening your spiritual senses. Indigo and violet foods are also at the top end of the spectrum.

Though some of these foods can be beneficial for assisting in fighting free radicals, be cautious when eating others that can cause imbalances in your body. Associated foods include onions, mushrooms, alcohol and sugar.

An overall balanced diet consists mainly of foods from the orange, yellow, green and blue colors, with a limited amount of foods from the far ends of the spectrum - red (yang energy) and indigo/violet (yin energy). When planning meals, also consider that a half of your plate should be vegetables, a quarter plant based grains and a quarter protein. Your meal should be accompanied with a side dish of fruit. Keeping in mind color and portions can lead to a better overall healthy way of eating for you!