What is the self care diet?

Ian J Aman

May 11, 2018

3 min read

I live for food 🥘. "I workout to eat" I would tell my friends when they ask how I maintain my weight over the years. When I was young, I was the chunky monkey kid that not only was awkward but was also called “big guy” even though I was a shorty.

Food in most cultures can the central core to family get-togethers. Often times, the food can be so good, so rich, and so overwhelmingly amazing, we tend to forget about how much good can affect our body.

Enter #self-care #food. Well it’s not a dang diet and there’s no counting carbs, counting fats, or counting anything. Self-care food is any type of food that nourishes, fuels, and strengthens your mind.

Research has shown over the recent years that eating those rainbow-rich foods (I mean vegetables in that produce aisle that shine of reds, greens, yellows, purples etc) improves overall cognitive ability, memory, and mood. Thus having an overall taking care of your body.

“A 2014 scientific review in the journal, #Appetite, found that colored foods stave off boredom while eating, which could help explain why the technicolor versions of everyday items like coffee seem so much more enchanting.”

I have to admit that I go for my favorite foods a few times a week. I mean who can't resist French fries, or ice cream. Or those crispy, salty chips especially on a bad day. #Potatoes must be my kryptonite. Those feel good to me. That's self care right there! Lol However, even though this blog is about self care and how we treat ourselves with respect, it goes beyond just settling for relaxation or comfort foods.

people sharing — Gather Around the Table

It's a deeper understanding of who you are and how your body functions within itself and in society. Thus, the foods we eat has a huge factor on our daily decision-making, and cognitive skills. So in no way am I encouraging a #salad a day (although that does keep the doctor away), but I am encouraging to eat colorfully.

When you hear people say think mindfully. The next motto is #eatcolorfully. Literally taste the rainbow at your produce, if it's in the form of a smoothie, salad, wrap, etc. The point is those rainbow vegetables do more good to your body than you think.

“Studies have shown that when people take probiotics (supplements containing the good bacteria), their anxiety levels, perception of stress, and mental outlook improve, compared with people who did not take probiotics.”

Below are why colors represent goodness. Here is a guide adopted from here to help you with your color eating needs:

Orange/Red foods deliver a pack of beta-carotene which helps support the immune system. Examples include carrots, beets, bell peppers.

Red foods likes tomatoes and watermelon provide a rich antioxidant to cut prostate, cancer risk.

Yellows are your vitamin C powerhouses like lemons, peaches, for inhibiting tumors and enhance cell growth.

Greens builds the healthy cells including spinach, kale, leafy greens.

Blues like blueberries and grapes utilize anthocyanins which destroy free radicals in the body.

Browns are the lasting energy boosts like whole grains and legumes due to their fiber and carcinogen removal.

Whites (even yogurts) contain probiotics that support a healthy digestive system and protein. Such as eggs, garlic, and napa cabbage.

The End of the Rainbow

Inject one day out of the week of healthy rainbow (especially) raw vegetables and track your mood to see if you feel better the next day. There are studies that your gut bacteria is linked to stronger immunity and a stronger mind including those who are suffering from anxiety and depression. So when you “live for food” live for a better you.

Up Next: 4 Powerful Ways to Recover from a Bad Day

Take Care,

Ian

Like what you read, and want more? Or have a comment, sign up below and become a member. Or get the new article when it comes out here.

What is the self care diet?

I live for food 🥘. "I workout to eat" I would tell my friends when they ask how I maintain my weight over the years. When I was young, I was the chunky monkey kid that not only was awkward but was also called “big guy” even though I was a shorty.

Food in most cultures can the central core to family get-togethers. Often times, the food can be so good, so rich, and so overwhelmingly amazing, we tend to forget about how much good can affect our body.

Enter #self-care #food. Well it’s not a dang diet and there’s no counting carbs, counting fats, or counting anything. Self-care food is any type of food that nourishes, fuels, and strengthens your mind.

Research has shown over the recent years that eating those rainbow-rich foods (I mean vegetables in that produce aisle that shine of reds, greens, yellows, purples etc) improves overall cognitive ability, memory, and mood. Thus having an overall taking care of your body.

“A 2014 scientific review in the journal, #Appetite, found that colored foods stave off boredom while eating, which could help explain why the technicolor versions of everyday items like coffee seem so much more enchanting.”

When you hear people say think mindfully. The next motto is #eatcolorfully. Literally taste the rainbow at your produce, if it's in the form of a smoothie, salad, wrap, etc. The point is those rainbow vegetables do more good to your body than you think.

Below are why colors represent goodness. Here is a guide adopted from here to help you with your color eating needs:

Orange/Red foods deliver a pack of beta-carotene which helps support the immune system. Examples include carrots, beets, bell peppers.

Red foods likes tomatoes and watermelon provide a rich antioxidant to cut prostate, cancer risk.

Yellows are your vitamin C powerhouses like lemons, peaches, for inhibiting tumors and enhance cell growth.

Greens builds the healthy cells including spinach, kale, leafy greens.

Blues like blueberries and grapes utilize anthocyanins which destroy free radicals in the body.

Browns are the lasting energy boosts like whole grains and legumes due to their fiber and carcinogen removal.

Whites (even yogurts) contain probiotics that support a healthy digestive system and protein. Such as eggs, garlic, and napa cabbage.

The End of the Rainbow

Up Next: 4 Powerful Ways to Recover from a Bad Day

Take Care,

Ian

Like what you read, and want more? Or have a comment, sign up below and become a member. Or get the new article when it comes out here.

References:

http://www.pcrm.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/health/ffl/2009RainbowPoster.pdf

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20150820/food-mental-health#1.

#diet #health #clean #vegtables #tastetherainbow #selflove #healthy

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