healthy living check

tongue check

Your tongue is a very telling indicator of how healthy your diet is.

Answer yes or no:

1. Does your tongue have a line down the middle?
2. Does you tongue have teeth marks round the side?
3. Does you tongue have a bright red tip?
4. Is your tongue sore?
5. Does you tongue appear dotted all over?

if you answer yes to a particular question, it could mean:

1. Weak digestion. You may feel bloated and suffer from gas or indigestion. A strong digestive system is important for nutrient absorption wellbeing. I would suggest food combing for a period of eight weeks. Keep meals simple, and ingredients that are particularly good for you include brown rice, avocado and tofu. Try the Avocado and Barley Salad, Smoked Tofu and Bean Burgers, Tofu with Steamed Vegetables and Gourmet Brown Rice.
2. Spleen weakness and nutrient deficiencies. Your spleen is your energy battery and may not be taking up nutrients as effectively as it should. Symptoms can include feeling tired all the time, gassy and bloated. Aduki Bean Stew is a good digestion strengthener, so don't miss out on this. And look for recipes that contain beetroot, celery, fennel, dill, chicken, garlic, kidney beans, parsley, pumpkins and turnips.
3. A red tip may indicate either emotional upset or that your body is stressed. Either way, you will need B vitamins to calm it all down. Foods rich in B vitamins include brown rice and other wholesome grains, root vegetables and beans. Go for my Haricot Bean Loaf, Mediterranean Black-Eye Pea Casserole, Chickpea Burgers and Gourmet Brown Rice.
4. A sore tongue may indicate a vitamin B6 deficiency, and could also indicate that niacin and/or iron levels are low. Drink nettle or dandelion teas and eat foods rich in vitamin B6, including sunflower seeds, brown rice, buckwheat and avocados. Try my Juicy Smoothie, Tabbouleh and Breakfast Porridge. Best Ever Beetroot Soup should regularly be on the menu in your house too.
5. This can be a sign of what I call liver stagnation. In western holistic medicine, we think of the liver as the organ of detoxification. The liver tries to keep toxins out of your blood stream, particularly those come into your body via your diet. When your liver is overworked, it may perform sluggishly. In the West this is often called a congested liver. Foods that support the liver are good for everyone, and include cruciferous veggies such as kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower; flax seeds, hemp seeds and sunflower seeds. Nettle and dandelion teas help too. White Bean Cabbage soup is a must.