Chakras: Nourish Through a Whole Foods Diet

“Eating healthy is not so much about what you eat, but what you don’t eat.”
― Clifford Cohen

Image Source: Sam Moghadam Khamseh (Unsplash)

In the last two posts, we learned about the Chakras and what can happen when they become imbalanced. This week we will learn how a whole foods diet can assist the chakras (body) to return to homeostasis or balance. Whole foods are gifts of mother nature when consumed in their purest form: unprocessed, unrefined, and contain no additives or preservatives. An apple picked and eaten from a tree versus a store-bought jar of applesauce (containing added sugars) is an example of whole versus refined foods.

An article in the Idea Fitness Journal (June 2014) discusses chakra nutrition holistically. The following is a synopsis of author Teri Mosey's discussion on this intriguing topic from root to crown.

Root

When the root chakra becomes unbalanced, we crave proteins, mainly animal meats. These foods have strong bone and blood contents, which are red, much like the root chakra itself. Mosey states that once we begin to feel "rooted" again, we should also add plant-based proteins to our diet (2014). Red foods include apples, cherries, tomatoes, red grapes, and beets. Too much animal protein can tax the kidneys. A plant-based diet will contain a good amount of dietary fiber, which assists in the transition of digested foods through our intestines and keeps us regular.

Sacral

Mosey tells us that the sacral chakra, which resonates with orange, is about flow and movement. The sacral chakra, assisted by orange-colored foods, has high water and omega-3 fatty acid content (2014). The author goes on to say that proper hydration is the key to maintaining balance for this chakra. The most beneficial orange foods are carrots, butternut squash, oranges, apricots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe. Foods high in omega-3s are wild-caught salmon, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and cashews (2014).

Solar Plexus

We find the solar plexus chakra just above our belly button with its affinity for yellow. The author notes that "naturally occurring carbohydrates" in fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes (beans) nourish the solar plexus. Additionally, one should eat foods with high fiber content (squash, broccoli, lentils, and beans) daily to support the necessary balance for this chakra. Mosey lists the yellow foods most beneficial to the solar plexus: lemons, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), bananas, pineapple, and quinoa (2014).

Heart

In the center of our chest, we find the heart chakra that resonates with the color green. An imbalanced heart chakra may present as heart and lung issues. This chakra appreciates consuming cruciferous veggies like collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy. Additionally, bitter greens such as dandelion and escarole assist with the detoxification of the body as well as "penetrate" the heart chakra (2014). Foods such as scallions, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and peppermint have a knack for clearing the sinuses and expanding the lungs to their fullest potential.

Throat

The blue throat chakra involves our ability to communicate and speak our inner truths. An unwell throat may exhibit thyroid gland disorders and chronic neck issues. Mosey emphasizes that to nourish the throat chakra, we must use our physical senses and listen to our body (2014). The author states that it is most beneficial to the throat chakra if we eat a variety of food choices to create as diverse a diet as possible. Foods that soothe the throat are soups, sauces, and high-water content foods. Sea plants (containing iodine) also support the thyroid gland. Examples include nori rolls, miso soup, and arame salad (2014).

Third Eye

The Third Eye chakra is partial to purple and is the seat of our intuition and imagination. Mosey states that concerning food, we must focus not only on our physical being but are "intuitive eating" (2014). What is it that our body is trying to tell us? An example of intuitive eating is called cravings. A blocked third eye lends us to crave chocolate, and while we may say "Yeah!!" at this point, too much chocolate can overstimulate the mind due to its caffeine content (2014). Certain spices such as chili, pepper, turmeric, and ginger assist in balancing this chakra. The author says we should focus on purple-red foods like blueberries, plums, figs, and pomegranates. Within this chakra, we should consider how our food affects our well-being.

Image Source: Melissa Belanger (Unsplash)

Crown

Through the crown chakra, we are connected to the world and all around us. When blocked, the crown(represented by the color white) forces rigid thinking with a need always to be correct. Mosey notes that it is here where one must show gratitude for the food before consumption, either through prayer or an eating ritual (2014). There are no specific foods that nourish the crown other than giving thanks.

The foods associated with each chakra provide us with a menu of wholesome items that can assist us in moving away from the processed, ready-to-eat meals to which we have become accustomed. However, not every person can eat all the foods discussed in this post. Those with a pre-existing condition or who take prescription medications must consult with their primary care physician or a dietitian before a change in dietary intake. Some foods may interfere with the actions of some drugs. For example, those on the blood-thinning agent Coumadin are discouraged from eating dark, green leafy vegetables as they contain Vitamin K, which encourages blood coagulation (thickening), which is in direct opposition to the intended action of Coumadin.

This article is informational, not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. The FDA has not reviewed this article. Always consult your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before significantly changing your health and wellness routine.

References

Mosey, T. (2014). Chakra Nutrition. Idea Fitness Journal, 11 (6), 38-45.