How Colors Affect Your Appetite

The psychology of color can influence everything from our blood pressure to our mood and overall experience. Color and our appetite for foods are closely related and can affect our perception of taste. So which colors can whet your appetite? And more importantly for those looking at losing weight, what colors can suppress your appetite?

Red. A very intense and energetic color, red increases blood pressure and stimulates appetite. Ever notice why many restaurants paint their walls a dark red?

Blue. The color blue is associated with the mind and body and can produce a calming effect while slowing the metabolism. Blue is often used as an appetite suppressant so if you run a restaurant, consider painting it red! If you're dieting, put lots of blue in your kitchen and dining room from blue plates, blue candles, and blue placemats.

Green. The beauty of nature in shades of green, green is a calming and relaxing color. The color green is associated with being healthy and in nature.

Grey. A great color to suppress your appetite, grey calms and neutralizes anxiety which results in you eating less food.

Orange. Not only does orange increase oxygen supply to the brain, it stimulates us mentally and is invigorating. It's a warm, soothing color that also stimulates appetite.

Turquoise. A tasty color that stimulates your appetite, color your kitchen turquoise if you're looking at beefing up.

Yellow. Cheery and uplifting, yellow can help with focus and concentratation. Ever wonder why Post-It notes are yellow? Coincidence? Yellow is related to happiness and it can also stimulate your appetite.

Be conscious of the colors and how they affect your eating habits to give yourself a leg up on managing your weight effectively. If you're looking at losing weight, the darker the plate the better. Stick to black or dark brown and watch your appetite fade away.