Medical research continues to find elements in fruits and vegetables that strengthen our immune systems, impede the development of degenerative diseases like cancer and heart disease, and contribute to good health in many other ways. Maintaining a healthy diet translates into eating more nutrient-dense foods. This means consuming a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. In fact, the majority of the diet should consist of plant-based food. By eating a variety of natural full spectrum foods, you obtain the healthiest combination your body can utilize.
Food as Medicine: The Color Energy of Food
Foods are not only classified by the color energy, but are organized by their nutritional effects, taste, temperature and actions of their properties. The Full Spectrum Diet focuses on considering chromotherapy and phytonutrients when choosing your foods The color energy of foods also share categories with each other. As colors are not mutually exclusive, some foods share different “color values”, properties and common healing effects. The Full Spectrum Diet is not a quick fix, but rather is part of a whole person approach: establishing good nutrition, encouraging regular physical exercise and exploring lifestyle changes that will benefit our well-being. The Full Spectrum Diet was developed by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
RED WHOLE FOODS
Red foods are great sources of protein, vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene. Each are potent antioxidants. Iron is vital to the body’s formation of red blood cells, which help carry and store oxygen throughout the body. Red foods are especially important to men’s health. They have been linked to reductions in the risk of prostate cancer. Black beans are high in fiber and calcium whereas red beans are a good source of iron. Calcium strengthens bones and teeth and is crucial for muscle functioning and nerve conduction.
Include these red and black foods in your diet. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, watermelon, guava juice, red cabbage, beet root, radishes, red onions, chilies, pink grapefruit, black beans, kidney beans,
ORANGE WHOLE FOODS
Orange foods assist in detoxifying and releasing toxins from the body. As in the Chakra System, orange foods and orange energy helps with the reproductive system, muscle and joint flexibility, stagnation in many forms. Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Calcium, copper, selenium and zinc are all plentiful in orange foods. These foods help maintain good vision, fortify the immune system, promote proper bone and tooth development and help in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and hair.
Include these orange foods in your diet: Apricots, peaches, oranges, mango, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, squash, orange/yellow peppers.
YELLOW WHOLE FOODS
Yellow foods generate power. These are foods rich in immune stimulating properties and vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B complex, E, sodium, potassium, selenium and chromium. Many grains fall into this category. When we lack yellow energy in our diets it can lead to poor memory, lack of concentration, tension, irritability, digestive problems and a lack of proper absorption of nutrients. Omega 3 fatty acids have a yellow energy.
Include these yellow foods in your diet: Lemon, bananas, grapefruits, rice, corn, rye and wheat, eggs, certain fish and fish oils.
GREEN WHOLE FOODS
The power of green whole foods is essential for all day energy, greater focus under stress, sense of well-being, strengthened immune systems, fewer food cravings, and optimum synergistic balance of essential nutrients for total health. Green whole foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, active enzymes, bioflavonoids, chlorophyll and other phytonutrients necessary for optimal cellular metabolism, repair and protection. Green whole foods contain the most powerful combination of nutrients in any grain, herb or food. They contain almost all of the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes necessary for the human diet plus chlorophyll. Green foods are rich in cancer preventing antioxidants and iron. Iron affects many aspects of daily life including the ability to concentrate and learn. The darker the green, the better.
Include these green foods in your diet: Asparagus, watercress, spinach, broccoli, parsley, dill, romaine lettuce, zucchini, green peppers, green apples, pears, avocados, green grapes, kiwi and limes.
BLUE, INDIGO, VIOLET WHOLE FOODS
The pigments found in blue and purple foods are high in anti-cancer properties. As in the Chakra System, these foods also coordinate the same energy centers. Blue foods tend to be helpful for the voice, organs and glands in the neck, while indigo and violet foods work in conjunction with the pineal and pituitary glands. They also contain water-soluble vitamins that strengthen tiny blood vessels, which can help improve the circulation to the extremities, speed up the healing of bruises and promote healthy collagen for fewer wrinkles.
Include these blue and indigo foods in your diet: Blackberries, black currants, plums, concord grapes, purple cabbage, as well as, Vitamin E, kelp, iodine, and seaweed products.
Violet foods include: Eggplant, purple basil, purple sprouting broccoli, red wines and St. John’s Wort.
Blue, indigo and purple foods are particularly good with your evening meal. Blood flows tend to slow or become more constricted after eating, especially after eating a high fat meal. These colored foods contain nutrients that may help minimize this tendency, and to improve circulation immediately after eating. This also makes them good in conjunction with exercise, especially if you have a consistent daily exercise routine.
Foods are not only classified by the color energy, but are organized by their nutritional effects, taste, temperature and actions of their properties. The Full Spectrum Diet focuses on considering chromotherapy and phytonutrients when choosing your foods The color energy of foods also share categories with each other. As colors are not mutually exclusive, some foods share different “color values”, properties and common healing effects. The Full Spectrum Diet is not a quick fix, but rather is part of a whole person approach: establishing good nutrition, encouraging regular physical exercise and exploring lifestyle changes that will benefit our well-being. The Full Spectrum Diet was developed by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
RED WHOLE FOODS
Red foods are great sources of protein, vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene. Each are potent antioxidants. Iron is vital to the body’s formation of red blood cells, which help carry and store oxygen throughout the body. Red foods are especially important to men’s health. They have been linked to reductions in the risk of prostate cancer. Black beans are high in fiber and calcium whereas red beans are a good source of iron. Calcium strengthens bones and teeth and is crucial for muscle functioning and nerve conduction.
Include these red and black foods in your diet. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, watermelon, guava juice, red cabbage, beet root, radishes, red onions, chilies, pink grapefruit, black beans, kidney beans,
ORANGE WHOLE FOODS
Orange foods assist in detoxifying and releasing toxins from the body. As in the Chakra System, orange foods and orange energy helps with the reproductive system, muscle and joint flexibility, stagnation in many forms. Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Calcium, copper, selenium and zinc are all plentiful in orange foods. These foods help maintain good vision, fortify the immune system, promote proper bone and tooth development and help in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and hair.
Include these orange foods in your diet: Apricots, peaches, oranges, mango, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, squash, orange/yellow peppers.
YELLOW WHOLE FOODS
Yellow foods generate power. These are foods rich in immune stimulating properties and vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B complex, E, sodium, potassium, selenium and chromium. Many grains fall into this category. When we lack yellow energy in our diets it can lead to poor memory, lack of concentration, tension, irritability, digestive problems and a lack of proper absorption of nutrients. Omega 3 fatty acids have a yellow energy.
Include these yellow foods in your diet: Lemon, bananas, grapefruits, rice, corn, rye and wheat, eggs, certain fish and fish oils.
GREEN WHOLE FOODS
The power of green whole foods is essential for all day energy, greater focus under stress, sense of well-being, strengthened immune systems, fewer food cravings, and optimum synergistic balance of essential nutrients for total health. Green whole foods contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, active enzymes, bioflavonoids, chlorophyll and other phytonutrients necessary for optimal cellular metabolism, repair and protection. Green whole foods contain the most powerful combination of nutrients in any grain, herb or food. They contain almost all of the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes necessary for the human diet plus chlorophyll. Green foods are rich in cancer preventing antioxidants and iron. Iron affects many aspects of daily life including the ability to concentrate and learn. The darker the green, the better.
Include these green foods in your diet: Asparagus, watercress, spinach, broccoli, parsley, dill, romaine lettuce, zucchini, green peppers, green apples, pears, avocados, green grapes, kiwi and limes.
BLUE, INDIGO, VIOLET WHOLE FOODS
The pigments found in blue and purple foods are high in anti-cancer properties. As in the Chakra System, these foods also coordinate the same energy centers. Blue foods tend to be helpful for the voice, organs and glands in the neck, while indigo and violet foods work in conjunction with the pineal and pituitary glands. They also contain water-soluble vitamins that strengthen tiny blood vessels, which can help improve the circulation to the extremities, speed up the healing of bruises and promote healthy collagen for fewer wrinkles.
Include these blue and indigo foods in your diet: Blackberries, black currants, plums, concord grapes, purple cabbage, as well as, Vitamin E, kelp, iodine, and seaweed products.
Violet foods include: Eggplant, purple basil, purple sprouting broccoli, red wines and St. John’s Wort.
Blue, indigo and purple foods are particularly good with your evening meal. Blood flows tend to slow or become more constricted after eating, especially after eating a high fat meal. These colored foods contain nutrients that may help minimize this tendency, and to improve circulation immediately after eating. This also makes them good in conjunction with exercise, especially if you have a consistent daily exercise routine.