Eat Your Way to Beauty
(Written by Natalia Hnatiw)
The strive for beauty may seem like a vain one, but in reality, the way you look on the outside says a lot about the state of your health on the inside. Do you have brittle nails, dull, dry hair or flaky skin? These are all signs that you may not be getting the nutrients you need for your body to repair itself. And in short, this could be aging you faster than you may like. No one wants to get older, but aging slowly and gracefully is definitely the better alternative.
How you take care of your body, and the types of foods you choose to put in it will directly affect the way you look and age in the long run. You may not think that your daily bad habits (ie. smoking, drinking, eating processed foods, etc.) are affecting your skin right now, but ten years from now, you will regret it. You’re never too young (or too old) to start an anti-aging protocol. Our bodies are very forgiving, constantly renewing themselves. Don’t worry; you don’t have to give up all your vices, or at least not all at once. Did you know that when you make small changes over a longer period of time, you’re more likely to succeed and maintain those changes?
You can start by looking at the food you are putting into your body. Are your choices nourishing you? Food is supposed to give us energy, not take it away. How you begin your day will be a good indicator of the choices you will make later on. If you’re used to your daily cup of coffee with milk and sugar and a muffin on the side, I can guarantee that a couple hours later, you will probably feel less than energetic. Low blood sugar equals poor will power when it comes to less than healthy food choices.
If you want your skin, hair and nails to look good and youthful, you also need to be drinking enough water. I cannot stress the importance of hydration in any healthy lifestyle regime. Water not only hydrates you, it also flushes the toxins out of your body. In the morning, your body is still in its eliminative phase. Always start your day with a large glass of water, maybe a squeeze of lemon juice. Then have your coffee, or better yet, a freshly pressed green juice– this will offer you the right nutrients to make healthier food choices later on in the day because your blood sugar is stable.
Remember, small changes lead to big results. I’ve compiled a list of foods that you can begin to incorporate into your diet. Start by introducing one new food each week. Variety is key. If you are interested in a personalized anti-aging meal plan, you can contact Natalia at www.arawiseman.com
Anti-Aging Additions
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Berries (such as blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries)
- Cherries
- Pomegranates
- Artichokes
- Dark green leafy vegetables (such as kale, spinach, and collard greens)
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocados
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
- Nuts and seeds
- Raw cacao
- Green tea
