The Color Code: A Revolutionary Eating Plan for Optimum Health    by James A. Joseph, Daniel A. Nadeau & Anne Underwood Order:  USA  Can Hyperion, 2003 (2002) Hardcover, Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth An anonymous quote, 'If you don't take care of your body, where are you going to live?' immediately caught my attention as I opened The Color Code to its first page. Another by Hippocrates declared, 'Let food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.' These words led me into a fascinating book. It presents the concept of four color groups - red, orange-yellow, green & blue, and purple. For good health, it is recommended to think 'pigment power', and to eat foods each day from each group, along with whole grains, fish, nuts and legumes - or lean meat, such as fish and skinless poultry. The Color Code is not just another diet book. It's a plan for a sensible way to reach and maintain good health. It will help you get there with eating tips, a color scoring system, and delicious recipes. I have to admit I was rather overwhelmed by the wealth of information. The benefits of fruits and vegetables are limitless but, unfortunately, forgettable in everyday life. I decided to leaf through the pages often to retain it all and to fully benefit from the authors' conclusions about their researches. Though the technical terms for the natural chemicals in the proposed foods are daunting, I realized I need not learn all the names, but only remember why each food is recommended and the benefits derived from it. There is too much information to be summarized here. I did learn that kale, collard greens, spinach, red peppers, Romain lettuce, broccoli and yellow corn are touted to help prevent macular degeneration. Artichokes contain silymarin that can help to prevent prostate cancer. And an eight ounce glass of sour cherry juice a day will help to alleviate the pain of arthritis as well as any medication you might be taking. It will not eliminate arthritis, but will certainly make the sufferer much more comfortable. Read for yourself the benefits fresh fruits and vegetables can bring you. I intend to start counting colors with my next meal. The amounts consumed of the color groups are not large - one half to one cup for the most part. A semi-vegetarian diet is recommended. That's what I'm on anyway, and I've felt better because of it. But I look to feel even healthier with my new eating plan. The recipes in the back of the book look really good, and the meal plans give the reader a quick way to start eating The Color Code way. After a few days, it should be easy to do it on your own. Whimsical humor is sprinkled throughout the book, providing a light touch when the technical words bog you down. This is a valuable book to keep in your kitchen. Leaf through it when planning meals. It's never too late to take charge of your own health. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews