Chakras can be defined as energy centers that interact with both the physical and energetic bodies. These energy centers can be thrown off of balance and can create stress and dis-ease in the body. There are many ways to help balance these energy centers such as exercise, meditation, sound healing, and visualization. These concepts are not new and there are many articles on creating balance within these energy centers; however…

Did you know that you can use food to help balance your energy centers (chakras)?!

As a major foodie, this is a very exciting topic for me and I hope that this brief introduction to chakra eating helps spark your intrigue as well. Below please find information on each chakra as well as foods associated with keeping each energy center in balance.

•Root Chakra•

Location: Base of Spine

Associate Color: Red

Represents: Safety, Security

Foods to Nourish: Root vegetables, vibrant red foods (tomatoes, red apples, strawberries, cherries, red bell pepper, pomegranate, etc.)

•Sacral Chakra•

Location: Below the Navel

Associated Color: Orange

Represents: Creativity, Passion

Foods to Nourish: Water, broths, teas, orange foods (pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, turmeric, ginger, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.)

•Solar Plexus Chakra•

Location: Above the Navel

Associated Color: Yellow

Represents: Confidence, Power

Foods to Nourish: Yellow foods (pineapple, banana, yellow bell pepper, squash, lemon, jackfruit, etc.)

•Heart Chakra•

Location: Center of Chest

Associated Color: Green

Represents: Love, Compassion

Foods to Nourish: Green herbs (thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, etc.), green foods (broccoli, kale, avocado, spinach, asparagus, brussel sprouts, etc.)

•Throat Chakra•

Location: Center of Throat

Associated Color: Blue

Represents: Expression, Voice

Foods to Nourish: Water, warm teas, blue foods (blueberries, concord grapes, elderberries, blue corn, etc.) **Please note that blue foods are rare.**

•Third Eye Chakra•

Location: Middle of, Slightly Above, Eyebrows

Associated Color: Indigo

Represents: Intuition, Wisdom

Foods to Nourish: Purple foods (blackberries, plums, eggplant, purple cabbage, figs, purple carrots, acai, etc.)

•Crown Chakra•

Location: Center Crown of Head

Associated Color: Deep Purple

Represents: Enlightenment

Foods to Nourish: Water, light fruits and vegetables (honeydew, cranberries, kiwi, apricot, peas, alfalfa sprouts, etc.)

Of course, eating some of the above foods can play an integral role to your health for more reasons than balancing your energy centers. Please see the below links to get into some of the science behind “eating the rainbow.”

My Fitness Pal – How Eating the Rainbow is Beneficial to Your Health

Safety and Health Magazine – Eat the Rainbow