The effect of a diet depends (also) on the color of the food. If you want detoxify, deflate, shed pounds accumulated during the last Holidays, you have to bet on red.
«It is the color of the heart and of passion. Remember the sun, the heat, the burning energy. And it is a powerful metabolism activator ”, explains Tamio Yagisawa, naturopath, expert in macrobiotics and natural nutrition in Turin.
Antioxidant pigments
The bright color is due to the presence of some pigments: lycopene (its best source is tomato) and anthocyanins. “These substances both have a potent one antioxidant action and anti-aging: they help keep all the cells in our body young, they help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer of the digestive system and the prostate, ”says the Japanese doctor.
Long life elixir
But there is more. According to the Smart Food research project of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, anthocyanins are able to influence the expression of some genes that “control” the duration of life. So far 20 foods have been identified which, thanks to other substances (such as fisetin, capsaicin, quercetin and resveratrol) they help us keep diseases away.
And of these 20 foods, incidentally, most of a very specific color: blood oranges, red cabbage, cherries, red onions, strawberries, berries, apples, hot peppers and paprika, red radicchio.
Vitamin with detox action
If you are still not convinced to bet on red, here is one more reason to do it.
“Not infrequently red foods contain Vitamin C which, in addition to fighting free radicals, is essential for the production of collagen (it supports the skin and strengthens the walls of blood vessels), for the efficiency of the immune system and for the synthesis of hormones, neurotransmitters, bile acids ", specifies the expert.
«In addition, vitamin C stimulates diuresis and purification of the organism».
Symbols of vitality and energy
Many red foods also have a precise symbolic meaning and emotional power.
"The pomegranate, for example, it is both an auspicious fruit of prosperity and an estimator of male fertility: it is no coincidence that it is connected to the universal masculine force-Yang. THE "azuki" beansinstead, they give joy and spiritual vitality ”, emphasizes Dr. Yagisawa.
«The red menu is suggested to celebrate the birth of a child, a birthday or a wedding, because it evokes the passion of fire. Being a source of energy it is good in the cold months or when you have it need to recharge».
Below you will find two diets developed by our expert to cleanse you, lose weight and, at the same time, keep you fit. One is more "strong" and should be followed for just 2 days; the other lasts a week and is more "soft": you just have to choose the one that suits you best.
DIETS IN RED: TO CLEAN YOURSELF AND RECHARGE YOU
- 2 DEPURATIVE DAYS
First day
Breakfast: bruschetta with dried tomato + oregano tea with blood orange peel.
Snack: wholemeal bread with blood orange and a pinch of salt.
Lunch: brown rice and azuki + salad of carrots, beets, celery and pomegranate grains.
Dinner: red lentil soup with the addition of tomato and chilli.
Second day
Breakfast: bread with oil and chilli + 1 cup of karkadé.
Lunch: wholemeal pasta with tomato sauce, red onion and basil + orange-red vegetable caponata with almonds.
Dinner: Pumpkin soup with a handful of brown rice.
- 1 WEEK DETOX
Monday
Breakfast: toasted wholemeal bread with dried tomatoes + green tea.
Lunch: brown rice + baked pumpkin + fennel, blood orange and oregano salad.
Dinner: Miso soup with vegetables and azuki.
Tuesday
Breakfast: soy yogurt with corn flakes and dehydrated cranberries + green tea.
Lunch: barley soup, red lentils and carrots + red cabbage and apple salad.
Dinner: Carrot and leek soup with 1 handful of millet.
Wednesday
Breakfast: oat porridge.
Lunch: red rice with olives, cherry tomatoes and saffron + Belgian salad in pinzimonio.
Dinner: mixed vegetable soup + tempeh and stewed red onions.
Thursday
Breakfast: corn crĂŞpe with olive pate + Bancha tea.
Lunch: wholemeal couscous with boiled orange-red vegetables.
Dinner: miso soup + tofu and tomatoes.
Friday
Breakfast: wholemeal bread + nuts + green tea.
Lunch: brown rice with red radicchio and leeks + green and red salad with fenugreek sprouts.
Dinner: boiled blue fish + grated raw turnips or radishes.
Saturday
Breakfast: fennel and carrot extract with ginger.
Lunch: spelled pasta with broccoli, garlic and chilli + raw vegetable pinzimonio.
Dinner: pumpkin soup and red rice with curry + baked fennel au gratin with nutmeg.
Sunday
Breakfast: vegetable extract with ginger.
Lunch: red rice with azuki and pumpkin (recipe).
Dinner: Tempeh and tomato stew (recipe) + red apple in batter (recipe).
THE RECIPES
Here are the Sunday dishes. They are quick to prepare, activate the metabolism and speed up the work of the kidneys and liver.
Tempeh and tomato stew
Ingredients for 1 person: 100 g of tempeh, 100 g of tomato, red onion to taste, 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, red wine to taste, salt.
Brown the sliced ​​onion in a pan with the oil. Add the torn tempeh with your hands. Add the wine, add the chopped tomatoes, a little salt and cook for 15 minutes.
Red rice with azuki and pumpkin
Ingredients for 1 person: 60 g of red rice, 30 g of azuchi beans, 100 g of pumpkin, bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, salt.
Toast the rice in an oil-free pan for 5 minutes. Add the diced pumpkin, the azuki (already left to soak for 8 hours), 1 bay leaf, water and salt. Cook slowly for 90 minutes, adding more water if necessary. At the end season with the raw oil.
Red apple in batter
Ingredients for 1 person: 1 red apple, 100 g of type 1 flour, 50 g of potato starch, oat milk to taste, salt, extra virgin olive oil for frying.
Combine the flour and potato starch in a bowl and mix well. Gradually pour in the oat milk and water until the batter is not too liquid. Season with salt and let it rest in a cool place. In the meantime, take the apple, wash it well, remove the core and cut it into slices without peeling. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a preferably iron pan, pass the apple slices in the batter and then fry them, turning them a couple of times.
The detox tips of the naturopath
- 1. Add fresh, grated or sliced ​​ginger to your dishes.
- 2. To season and flavor, in addition to extra virgin olive oil, use lemon juice, homemade red wine vinegar, fresh or dry chilli.
- 3. At the end of the meal, consume at least 2 tablespoons of fermented vegetables (such as sauerkraut).
- 4. After a lunch or dinner rich in animal protein, eat fenugreek sprouts (or powder) or a raw clove of garlic or onion.
READ MORE: 10 red foods that make you lose weight
