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When you link the sense of smell and taste to the sense of sight, you begin to see an underlying magic.
The vast spectrum of natural colour in food is astounding! And, colour also happens to be a very useful indicator (and constant reminder) of the many magical health benefits colourful food. The deep greens, vibrant reds, deep purples, bright oranges & yellows that we see in common and widely available foods provide far more than just “a rainbow” of colourful visual stimulation. Colours are associated with micronutrients and minerals and so consuming a meal with a variety of colours included will theoretically ensure the adequate consumption of nutrients for the day. It’s an easier way for people who do not have enough knowledge about nutrition to obtain their micronutrients and minerals for the day. And, the science backs it up.
Whilst there’s no one particular food or nutrient that gives us everything we need, likewise, no *one* colour provides all the available nutritional power either. Every colour found in food, whether it’s green, red, purple, blue, yellow, and even white, reveals something nutritionally quite unique.
By choosing a variety of colour in the diet, preferably at each meal, we can all be sure of enjoying a rich and varied spectrum of nutrients. For those who find nutritional science intimidating, or worse a “turn-off”, eating by the colours is not only more appealing, it’s easy as ABC. Often the best advice to give is simply to “eat the rainbow” every day!
What do the different colours represent?
Nutritionally speaking, the yellows and the oranges offer a good amount of vitamin C for your immunity and wound healing. Foods of this colour are oranges, lemons, grapefruits, yellow peppers, carrots and more.
Greens have always been the kings of the colour kingdom and probably why forests are green and give oxygen to the earth. They are great sources of vitamins A, B, C and K. Vitamin A is good for the eyes, while the B-vitamins help with energy metabolism. Vitamin C provide you with immunity while vitamin K is essential for bone development. Greens are also alkalizing, so if you have been consuming the typical acidic western diet, it’s a good idea for you to pick up on some green veggies.
Whites such as onions, cabbages and mushrooms, contain a good amount of flavonoids. They are important for preventing free-radical damage formation in your body and thus protect your body cells from damage. Not being able to control free-radical formation can lead to numerous negative health impacts, the most life-threatening one being, cancer.
The basis of this diet is to make you consume a variety of fruits and veggies so you can obtain your daily recommended micronutrients and minerals. So if you have been finding it difficult to determine whether you have been obtaining enough nutrients or not, just think if you’ve been consuming a variety of colourful foods!
For a deeper understanding, I have included a document from Functional Medicine Institute. This is an excellent overview of the colour, nutrition, science and magic of food. Enjoy!
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