*Beyond vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates, each food has its own unique energy. When we eat, we assimilate not only the nutrients, but also the energy of that food. In fact, all food has distinct qualities and energetic properties that can affect your body depending on where, when, and how it’s grown and prepared.
By understanding the energy of our food, we can make better decisions when we choose our meals.
Fresh produce has a greater amount of energy than heavily processed foods. Eating fresh, whole foods will give us a lighter, more energetic feeling in the body, whereas processed foods will most likely make us feel dull and lethargic.
We know that vegetables have a lighter energy than meat. Animal meat from mistreated farm animals has a different energy than meat from animals that lived a peaceful existence.
Chlorophyll rich greens such as kale, collards, and bok choy reach up toward the sun and thus are considered “lifting foods.” Squash and gourds grow at ground level and help balance moods and energy levels. Root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, beets, and burdock have strong downward energy and are considered grounding foods (try one of these when you feel over-stimulated!).
*Institute for Integrative Nutrition