March is National Nutrition Month: Celebrate it the Naturopathic Way

March is National Nutrition Month. That seems like a perfect launch to talk about the naturopathic principle of “Food as Medicine.” There are so many categories of food: food that reduces inflammation. There is food that improves gut health and the gut biome. Food that balances hormones and blood sugar. Food that detoxifies and concentrates on liver health. For this blog post, and considering these categories, what I find to be true for all of them is that food CAN heal.   

I present the “Healing Foods Challenge”….nothing too deep here. Though I am the executive director of the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors, I am no ND. These Naturopathic Doctors are some of the wisest, smartest people I know. And, fun fact, Naturopathic Doctors have some of the most intensive training in nutrition than most other health care professionals. They DO see food as medicine and take it very seriously, which works to create balance in a body, restoring the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Read on to learn more about how you can adopt some of the food habits necessary to bring yourself back into wellness. This is not medical advice; just a food challenge to help yourself back into health.

Food As Medicine

Welcome to the Healing Foods Challenge, a four-week journey to nourish your body, support your well-being, and embrace the power of naturopathic nutrition. Each week, we’ll focus on a different healing food category (through our social media), incorporating nutrient-dense, whole foods to optimize digestion, reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and support overall health.

The Naturopathic Healing Foods Challenge (National Nutrition Month Edition) 

A 4-week challenge designed to introduce nutrient-dense, healing foods into daily life—focusing on gut health, inflammation reduction, and overall wellness.

🌿WEEK 1: Gut Health & Digestion 

Healing Foods: Fermented foods, prebiotics, and digestive-supporting herbs.✅ Challenge: Eat at least one probiotic food per day (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso, or kombucha).Bonus: Add digestive herbs like ginger, fennel, or peppermint to meals or tea.

🌿WEEK 2: Anti-Inflammatory Boost 

Healing Foods: Turmeric, berries, omega-3s, and leafy greens.✅ Challenge: Include one anti-inflammatory food daily (e.g., turmeric, wild salmon, flaxseeds, blueberries, dark leafy greens).Bonus: Make a Golden Milk Latte (turmeric + plant-based milk + black pepper + cinnamon).

🌿WEEK 3: Blood Sugar Balance & Energy 

Healing Foods: Fiber-rich foods, healthy fats, and protein.✅ Challenge: Swap refined carbs for whole-food energy sources (e.g., quinoa, avocado, nuts, seeds, legumes). Bonus: Try cinnamon in your coffee/tea to support blood sugar stability.

🌿WEEK 4: Detox & Liver Support 

Healing Foods: Cruciferous vegetables, lemon water, beets, dandelion, and green tea.✅ Challenge: Start your day with a detox-supporting food or drink (e.g., warm lemon water, a green smoothie, or dandelion tea). Bonus: Do a one-day sugar detox—no added sugar for 24 hours!

 Want to track progress? Keep a food journal or share your meals on social media with #HealingFoodsChallenge #foodasmedicine. #coloradonaturopathicdoctors

Additional Healing Food Categories

1. Immune-Boosting Foods 

• Citrus fruits (Vitamin C)
• Garlic & onions (antiviral & antimicrobial)
• Mushrooms (reishi, shiitake, maitake)
• Elderberries & echinacea

2. Hormone-Balancing Foods 

• Flaxseeds & chia seeds
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
• Maca root (supports adrenal health)
• Wild-caught salmon (omega-3s)

3. Mood-Boosting & Nervous System Support Foods 

• Dark chocolate (magnesium & serotonin booster)
• Leafy greens (B vitamins)
• Fermented foods (gut-brain connection)
• Adaptogens (ashwagandha, holy basil, rhodiola)

4. Joint & Bone-Supportive Foods 

• Bone broth (collagen & minerals)
• Turmeric & black pepper (anti-inflammatory)
• Sardines (calcium & vitamin D)
• Nettles & horsetail (silica for bone health)

5. Skin-Healing & Anti-Aging Foods 

• Berries (antioxidants for collagen protection)
• Avocados (healthy fats for skin elasticity)
• Green tea (polyphenols for skin repair)
• Aloe vera (internal & external healing)

Follow our socials (Listed at the bottom of this page) for weekly recipes and tips through the month of March.