Prana Rasa Center for Well-Being
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Workshops
  • Products
  • Trip to India
  • Contact
  • Blog

Ayurveda and Yoga

Offering a path to physical, mental and emotional health

The Color of Food

3/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Most Americans eat few vegetables.  Our ancestors ate a huge variety of root vegetables, leaves and “fruit” vegetables like squash and peppers. Whatever your dosha (Ayurvedic constitution), fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of the human diet.  The diet of Kapha- predominant individuals should be 75% - 80% fresh fruit and vegetables.

 Color is a tell-tale clue to the phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Vasant Lad taught me that red foods are good for the heart: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, cranberries, beets, red peppers, watermelon, tomatoes, red chard etc. Beets have become one of my favorite vegetables. One of the most active phytochemicals in beets is betacyanin.  Studies have shown beets to reverse liver cirrhosis and protect from the negative effects of chemotherapy.  Red peppers have one of the highest amounts of vitamin C and the capsanthin in red peppers has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol, the healthy cholesterol, in blood. Red cherries are high in anthocyanin but are also one of the few food sources of melatonin, an antioxidant produced by the primary endocrine gland in your brain. Pomegranates have been shown in human studies to reduce atherosclerotic plaque and lower blood pressure. Lycopene, responsible for the red color of tomatoes, appears to protect against both heart disease and cancer. The male prostate gland stores lycopene.

Picture

Beet Greens -  Not to Be Wasted

The color green signifies chlorophyll and nutrients like lutein and vitamin K. Dark green leafy vegetables, like kale, chard, spinach, cilantro, parsley, arugula, lettuce and watercress should be eaten every day.  Other green vegetables are important too. Cucumber skin contains high levels of cucurbitanes, an anti-cancer phytochemical. Avocados, celery, fennel, zucchini and plants in the cabbage family contain important minerals and nutrients.
Picture

Berries - Rich in Nutrients

The color purple signifies high levels of anthocyanins. Some purple foods are plums, blueberries, purple cabbage,  eggplant, blackberries and grapes.
  Carrots and other vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes and sweet potatoes have purple varieties that are showing up more in today’s markets.

Picture

Everyday

Orange and yellow vegetables are known for their high betacarotene content. Carrots, corn, sweet potatoes, yellow squash, yellow and orange peppers, cantaloupe, papaya are all nutrient dense. Not to be skimped are white vegetables like onions, garlic and leeks.
   In general, I recommend that everyone have leafy greens, orange, red and purple plants every day……..  a minimum of ten servings,  80% vegetables, 20% fruits.

 Questions?
  Contact me at mary@pranarasa.com
0 Comments

    Mary Bradford is an Ayurvedic Practitioner
    and a professional member of NAMA
    (National Ayurvedic Medical Association)


    Current Blog

    Archives

    •  January: 7 Keys to Good Digestion •  December: Look to the Heavens

    •  March: The Color of Food •  June: Ayurvedic Herbs for the Mind

    •  April: Mantra, The Power of Sacred Sound •  June: Herbs and Spice - Everything Nice •  September: Honoring Our Ancestors

    •  February: Honoring the Planets •  April: Managing Kapha •  July: Panchakarma •  September: Agnihotra •  October: Shirodhara

    •  November: The Law of Karma •  June: Ayurvedic Guidelines For Food •  April: Has Milk Become Poison? •  January: Understanding and Managing Vata

    •  November: The Power of Pranayama •  September: Looking for the Sweetness in Life •  June: Triphala and Trikatu - Formulas for Digestion •  April: Are You Confused About Fats? •  March: The Sattvic Diet •  February: Rice Congee

    •  November: Traditional Remedies for Colds and Flu •  October: Honoring the Feminine •  June: Soup for Summer!

    Categories

    All

Prana Rasa Center for Well-Being
Ayurveda and Yoga
931 Briarcliff Rd.
Tallahassee, Fl 32308
850-322-0063
e-mail: Mary@pranarasa.com
HOME  ABOUT  SERVICES  CONTACT  BLOG
Picture
Picture
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment. For more information pertaining to your personal needs, please see a qualified health practitioner.
Copyright © 2023 Website by AGS PC Services and Web Design, All rights reserved.
To inquire about web site development services or problem with this site, send an e-mail to: Webmaster
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Workshops
  • Products
  • Trip to India
  • Contact
  • Blog