Did you know that the color of food, tablecovers, dishes and wall color can influence everything from our blood pressure to our mood and overall experience? Some colors can stimulate our senses and increase our appetite, while others can actually suppress it. 

Test your instincts with this color quiz! Can you tell which of these colors have the following affects?



         
         

1. Mentally stimulating - increases oxygen supply to the brain
2. Feelings of happiness and well-being - helps with concentration
3. Calming in nature - triggers healthy eating
4. Tranquil: slows the metabolism - appetite suppressant
5. Positive high energy - creates excitement and stimulates appetite
6. Peaceful and serene - may result in mindless snacking
7. Elegance and sophistication - security and confidence
8. Sensitivity and love - creates a soothing effect


Whether you are running a restaurant, creating a relaxing environment or dieting, the psychology of colors can be a useful tool in achieving your goals. See how your answers match up with the professionals and learn which Hoffmaster® products will enhance your desired moods.

1. Orange -  Not only does orange increase the oxygen supply to the brain, it is associated with warmth, enthusiasm, stimulation, energy and exuberance. It’s a lively color, associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving. Orange isn’t as intense as red because it’s blended with the cheeriness of yellow. Orange is the color of fun and sociability. Warming and energizing. Orange is also good for stimulating the appetite and reduces fatigue.

2. Yellow -  Cheery and uplifting, yellow can help with focus and concentration. Ever wonder why Post-it® Notes are yellow? Coincidence? Yellow is a reminder of happiness as well as a memory stimulator. Yellow also raises blood pressure and pulse rate but not to the degree that red does. Too much yellow can create fatigue. It inspires a sunny disposition, with feelings of warmth and optimism. The color also promotes quick, clear thinking, making it ideal for an office. Perhaps parking garages should be painted yellow for those of us who can’t remember where we parked.

3. Green -  The beauty of nature is in shades of green; green is a calming and relaxing color. It is associated with freshness, coolness, clarity and growth. It creates harmony of mind, body and soul; it reminds us of spring and therefore new beginnings. Green brings feelings of calm, anticipation and hope, and it has a soothing, relaxing effect on the body as well as the mind. Not relaxed enough? Pale green is the most restful hue of all, imbued with healing powers and a tranquilizing effect. Are you on a diet? Green can help. It helps control the anxiety that often leads to overeating.
4. Blue -  Blue is a relaxing color that has a calming effect on the body; it lowers blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. In hot and humid weather it provides a cooling effect. It also creates a feeling of cleanliness, healing and wisdom. Pleasant dreams might be the end result of shades of blue. It is also real people-pleaser; the best liked color, and associated with the ocean, sky, and time off from work. Blue has the opposite effect from red, calming you down while temporarily slowing your pulse. Blue is often used as appetite suppressants 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.

5. Red -  A very intense and energetic color, red increases blood pressure and stimulates appetite. It is a warm color often associated with power, strength, excitement, warmth and passion. Red is energizing and excites the emotions. It also stimulates the appetite. Thus many restaurants use red. Red warms the body, increases the heart rate, brain wave activity and respiration. Mothers are encouraged to stimulate infants’ brains by dangling mobiles containing bright red balls on them. If high blood pressure, hypertension or poor coordination plagues a person, he or she should not decorate rooms with the color red.
 
6. White - Surround yourself with white if your surroundings feel cluttered and you want to refresh your mind. White food is easy to pick at, and to forget that it contains calories. So that’s why it’s so easy to snack on foods like popcorn and bread. 
 
7. Black - Black is the “go to” color when seeking a regal and formal appearance. It portrays sophistication, glamour, security, emotional safety, efficiency, and substance. Although in old movies the villain always wore black, over the years the color has become more associated with high class - black limousines, leather and elegant black tie affairs.
 
8. Pink - Pink has a soothing effect and creates a mood of sensitivity and love. Pink’s tranquilizing effect has gained it entrance in prisons, hospital rooms and drug centers; it helps to dissolve anger and encourages unconditional love.  It is no wonder pink is often used on Valentine’s Day.

Did you guess “blue” as the appetite suppressant?  Besides blueberries, eggplants and a few rare varieties of potatoes and carrots, blue, purple and black are colors that don’t naturally exist in food sources.  A perfect example of how unappealing the color blue can be is shown in these photos of food.  Which plate would you choose? Some weight loss plans actually suggest putting a blue light in your refrigerator to curb midnight snacking, or to eat off a blue plate.
 
 
Are you looking to create a certain atmosphere for your customers? “Set” the mood with Hoffmaster products.    

         

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