There are thousands of phytonutrients in nature. By eating the same foods over and over again, even if they are colorful, patients may be still be facing nutrient deficiencies from a lack of diversity in their diets. For some, eating healthy means eating more “green” foods but they may be missing out on the synergistic benefit of incorporating other colorful foods that can increase nutrient absorption and aid in better digestion. Personally, I’m a big proponent of making a smoothie. It’s an easy way to increase phytonutrient intake and it’s portable. Patients have no excuse not to get enough nutrients in their day when they can take a smoothie on the go if need be.

Making appropriate substitutions for higher nutrient density foods such as eating sweet potatoes instead of white flesh potatoes can also help. The “Phytonutrient Spectrum Foods” guide lists foods in color categories and their potential therapeutic and protective benefits. Maximizing these combinations is a true art form – and a tasty one at that.

To Access The Toolkit:

1. Login to your IFM account and select “My Toolkit” in the menu on the left.
2. Select “*Recently Updated” or browse the other available resources.