Nutrition, health, wellbeing, and beauty are all closely inter-related on multiple levels, and neglecting one can have a significant negative effect on another.
Here is a list of foods that help:
To maintain your immunity:
Kiwi fruit: You know that vitamin C plays a big role in your immune system, but did you know that kiwi has twice as much vitamin C than oranges? Have 2 to 3 kiwis a day, or take it in the form of fresh kiwi fruit juice.
Probiotic yogurt: It helps to multiply the level of good bacteria in the digestive tract and prevents pathogens from entering your system.
Oysters: Oysters are an excellent source of zinc, which plays an essential role in enzyme system regulation.Oysters consumption also helps to boost your immunity.
Smoked oysters on a whole grain toast are tasty, nutritious and full of zinc.
To control your cholesterol:
Oats: These cereal grains are rich in soluble fiber, and in beta- glucan, which binds with bile acids and helps flush out bad cholesterol before they get absorbed into the body.
Nuts: just like avocados and olives, nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are needed to decrease cholesterol level in the body. Eating 45g of nuts a day (one handful) reduces the risk of heart diseases. Also try walnuts and almonds as a snack.
To enhance your energy:
Breakfast cereals: Choose wholegrain breakfast cereals to get an energetic morning and to feel energetic for the rest of the day. Many breakfast cereals have added vitamin B like thiamin and vitamin B12, so check your nutritional panel while shopping.
Red lean meat: If you feel that you are weak and you do not have energy for anything, one of your first stops is to check your iron intake. Iron deficiency is a significant health problem. Too little iron intake in daily meals and high demands at certain stages of life can lead to low iron stores in the body, which causes anemia.
Lean red meat is one of the richest sources of iron, so aim to have 3 to 4 servings (almost 150 g) a day.
To support your skin:
Berries: Some nutrients are very beneficial to skin health. Richly pigmented purple and red fruits are packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins that have been shown to have anti-ageing properties, specifically for the skin and the brain cells. Berries are also rich in vitamin C, which is needed to build collagen, and maintain elasticity and firmness in the skin.
Tomato: Rich in vitamin C and the antioxidant Lycopene, tomatoes protect against sun-induced skin aging; this is because Lycopene has the ability to neutralize the free radicals that form when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light.
Leafy greens: Folate in green leafy vegetables can help prevent cellular DNA damage. It helps your skin, your hair and nail cells to divide, repair and renew.
Nearly all beauty products now contain folate in the form of folic acid mentioned on packing. And, of course, exercise well, sleep tight and let your personality shine.
