Apr 03 2008
Eating the Rainbow for a Healthy Pregnancy
7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Eating Colorful Foods
By Francesca Durham
Our bodies are designed to be self-regulating, self-renewing life forms able to respond sensibly to our ever changing world. To maintain a healthy nutritional way of eating requires more nutrient-dense foods, and consuming a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds provides that.
When you return to eating traditional and natural foods you restore your health. Remember eating in harmony with nature is the most important way we can care for our bodies at the very core.
The constant push and pull effect on your ‘body and soul’ through dieting (or using food as a means to feel in control) only confirms your uncertainty about life and your place in the world.
Foods are not only classified by their color energy, they are also organized by their nutritional effects, taste, temperature and actions of their properties and common healing qualities. The following list is of food categorized by color:
1. Red foods - Great source of protein
Red foods are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as Vitamin C, and beta-carotene.
Consider adding these red and black foods into your diet: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, watermelon, guava juice, red cabbage, beet root, radishes, red onions, chillies, red pepper, pink grapefruit, black beans, kidney beans, red meat, chicken, fish.
2. Orange foods – Detoxify Your body
Orange foods help detoxify the body and help you maintain good vision, bone and tooth development as well as healthy skin and hair. Consider adding these orange foods into your diet: apricots, peaches, oranges, mango, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, squash, orange/yellow peppers.
3. Yellow foods - Generate power
Yellow foods generate power and when you lack energy in your diet it can lead to poor memory, lack of concentration, tension, irritability, digestive problems and a lack of proper nutrient absorption. Consider including these yellow foods for a healthy diet: lemon, bananas, grapefruits, rice, corn, rye and wheat, eggs, certain fish, fish oils and foods rich in fatty acids.
4. Green foods – Give you all day energy
Green foods contain the most powerful combination of nutrients in any grain, herb or food source. Powerful green foods are essential to maintain your energy all day long and will create a sense of well-being. Add to that your strengthened immune system, fewer food cravings and you’ll experience an optimum balance for total health. Consider adding these green foods into your diet: asparagus, watercress, spinach, broccoli, parsley, dill, romaine lettuce, zucchini, green peppers, green apples, pears, avocados, green grapes kiwi and limes.
5,6, & 7. Blue, Indigo, Violet Foods – Improve your circulation
The colors found in blue and purple foods are considered high in anti-cancer properties. Blue foods are helpful for the voice, and the organs and glands of the neck. Indigo and violet foods work in connection with the pineal and the pituitary glands. Blue foods also contain water-soluble vitamins that strengthen tiny blood vessels, which can help relieve swollen feet or ankles, and speed up the healing of bruises.
Blue, indigo and violet foods are particularly good with your evening meal specially if your meal was high in fat. Heavy meals like this cause the body to become sluggish and blood flow slows. Blue, indigo and violet foods contain nutrients that help to minimize this tendency and improve circulation after eating.
Consider adding these blue and indigo foods into your diet: blueberries, black currants, plums, concord grapes, purple cabbage, as well as, Vitamin E, kelp, iodine and seaweed products. These colored foods are particularly helpful for maintaining overall health if you have a consistent daily exercise routine.
Eating has different purposes and we need to have a flexible attitude to food. Sometimes it provides fuel for the body to keep our energy levels high and at other times it is a social activity or form of relaxation. Remember when your eating habits are pleasurable, it is a way to celebrate your life, your health and your self-worth in relation to the world and other people.
The powerful colors of food provides healing when necessary, and developing healthy eating habits is a worthwhile journey when you consider the benefits that colorful foods bring to your life.
ABOUT: Francesca Durham is a certified NLP life coach and personal development specialist focusing on women in transition. She offers various programs and services including Life Coaching through Colour helping women achieve balance and harmony in both their personal and professional lives. Her main website is http://www.FrancescaDurham.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francesca_Durham
http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Consider-Eating-Colorful-Foods&id=722170
[tags]color therapy, eating colorful foods, nutrition pregnancy[/tags]
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Thank you for sharing that article. I agree it is very important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables when you are pregnant. Fruits and vegetables are important in anyone’s diet. I try to make sure my kids follow five a day the color way. I give them fruit with their breakfast, a fruit and vegetable with lunch, another fruit for a snack and a vegetable with their dinner.
I love that picture at the top, great image. Vegetables rich in folate are indeed the healthiest! Eating a lot of folate (more folate info can be found here) means reducing the risk of birth defects and postpartum depression!