13Jul

Eat a Rainbow Daily

Not a day has gone by lately where I haven’t heard at least one person say something like “I need to get back into shape” or “I really need to start eating better.”  Generally this stems from a feeling of lowered self-esteem, and the desire to improve their lives in a more complete way. My first suggestion when I hear these types of comments is always the same…start by eating a rainbow!

So what does color have to do with our health? One word: phytochemicals. These substances occur naturally in plants and can provide many healthy benefits to all the different parts of our bodies.  Did you know that each color of a natural food helps with a different aspect of our health? Well, it’s true!  If you attempt to eat a rainbow of color on a regular basis, you can gain the most benefits from your food choices.

Red: important for heart health and gives strength to our joints.

Orange: a great source of Vitamin C; helps keep our eyes healthy.

Yellow: this group is great for our skin and digestive system.

Green: helps to strengthen our immune systems

Blue/Purple: excellent for brain health; these foods help us with memory and some are thought to help keep some cancers away.

Okay, so we all know that eating right can help us to maintain a healthy weight. Each of the food colors has its own benefit, but what else can making good food choices do for us? You may be surprised to learn that eating well can also have a profound effect on our mood and overall well-being. Many years of research have helped scientists to establish that processed foods and sugary snacks often correlate with higher rates of depression, stress, anxiety and even bipolar disorder. Eating an unhealthy diet may also play a role in the development of other mental health disorders including ADHD and schizophrenia. In some cases the effects of processed foods may even increase the risk of suicide in young people struggling with depression and anxiety.

Eating more colorful fruits and vegetables can help to improve mood and dramatically lower risk of mental health problems. So eating a more nutrient rich, natural diet can help change our entire lives in an extremely profound way, and If you have already been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, combining eating well with counseling may help to manage your symptom and regain control of your life.

If you are struggling to establish your own goals and need help to improve your mood, speaking with a trained mental health counselor might be the answer. She can provide the support you need to be successful in your journey to self-improvement. Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our Orlando mental health counselors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LECS Counselor