How to eat yourself beautiful

10 healthy foods to solve your beauty problems

Fed up of pricey skin creams, disappointing hair products and time-consuming beauty treatments? Then it’s time to eat yourself beautiful! Check out these 10 nutritious snacks that can solve your beauty problems.

Beauty problem: Weak or thinning hair

What to eat: Whole grains

Whole grains such as brown rice and oats are rich in essential B vitamins including biotin (B7), which can help alleviate hair loss and brittle hair. They are also a good source of silica, which can help reduce hair breakage, and zinc; an important hair nutrient which, in its deficiency, can lead to hair loss. Try to eat a variety of whole grains (opting for those that are as close to their natural state as possible) for healthy, strong and shiny hair.

Beauty problem: Dark under-eye circles

What to eat: Spinach

There are many causes of dark circles under the eyes, including heredity, tiredness and anaemia; however, one of the reasons for dark circles can be poor circulation. To address this cause and alleviate under-eye shadows, try to up your intake of vitamins K and C, which help to boost circulation and strengthen capillary walls. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach are good sources of these nutrients.

Beauty problem: Dry skin

What to eat: Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are a great source of vitamin E, which can help the skin to retain its natural moisture levels and stay soft and hydrated. Opt for flaxseeds or walnuts for maximum skin benefits, as these are also rich in skin-saving omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to keep dry skin at bay.

Beauty problem: Stained teeth

What to eat: Crunchy fruit and vegetables

The most important steps for getting perfect white teeth are maintaining good oral health standards (brushing, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist) and cutting down on cigarettes and teeth-staining foods and drinks. However, following meals with crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, celery and carrots can also help to whiten teeth. The abrasiveness of these crunchy foods can help to give your teeth a post-meal clean, removing bacteria and lifting stains from your teeth.

Beauty problem: Chapped lips

What to eat: Yogurt and oatmeal smoothie

Cracked, flaky lips can affect us all from time to time, but if you find yourself suffering regularly from chapped lips it could be a sign of a B vitamin deficiency. The B vitamin complex help to nourish the skin and keep it healthy, so try increasing your intake of foods rich in B vitamins – such as yogurt and oats – to help keep chapped lips hydrated. Oats and yogurt are also good sources of zinc, which can help sore, cracked lips to heal more quickly.

Beauty problem: Under-eye bags

What to eat: Avocado

If you’re suffering from a puffy face or under-eye bags, it could be that you’re experiencing fluid retention. Luckily, this can be overcome through your diet by redressing your balance of sodium and potassium. Try cutting back on salt and increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods such as avocado. Avocado is also rich in healthy fatty acids which will help to keep the skin soft and supple and reduce inflammation.

Beauty problem: Wrinkles

What to eat: Oily fish

To help keep skin supple and wrinkle-free, make sure you are getting a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep skin nourished from within, preventing dehydration and dryness, and boost the skin’s collagen production, helping to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. If you are not a fan of oily fish, other good sources of omega-3 include flaxseeds and walnuts.

Beauty problem: Acne

What to eat: Garlic

Garlic is not only a great heart-healthy superfood, it is also good for helping to keep skin clear and acne-free. With its natural antibiotic, blood cleansing, immune boosting and antibacterial properties, garlic can help to fight against the bacteria responsible for acne, while its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the swelling and inflammation.

Beauty problem: Pale complexion

What to eat: Shellfish

If you are suffering from pale, sallow skin, it could be that you are suffering from anaemia, which is caused by deficiencies in iron or vitamin B12. To alleviate this, try upping your intake of these nutrients by eating more seafood – in particular oysters – which contain high levels of both.

Beauty problem: Weak, brittle nails

What to eat: Egg yolk

Research has suggested that upping your intake of biotin (vitamin B7) can help to improve the firmness and strength of nails and reduce brittleness, while studies have also suggested that deficiencies in iron and zinc can lead to nail abnormalities. To strengthen your nails, try consuming more egg yolk-rich foods such as omelettes and pancakes, which are rich in these essential nutrients. Eggs are also a great source of protein, which is essential for healthy nail growth.

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/how-to-eat-yourself-beautiful/#pagination-top
 

Water – The Key to Staying Healthy

As summer comes into full swing and you embark on your beach vacations and outdoor barbeques for 4^th of July celebrations, it’s easy to forget about one important thing: water.
Even though your focus might be on pool activities, what to throw on the grill, and if you have enough sunscreen, make sure you and your family stay hydrated!
Why? Water affects so many different parts of your body – after all, the human body is around 60% water. Here’s a breakdown of how water impacts your body:
Skin: Did you know that water can affect your body inside AND out? One of the many ways skin protects your body is by preventing excessive fluid loss. We usually don’t even think about it, but we are constantly losing water through the day. The obvious reason for losing water is through sweating, but normal bodily functions like breathing and digestion use up water too! And all of that can show up in your skin. When you’re dehydrated, your skin looks more dry and wrinkly so drink up to keep that youthful glow!
Energy: Water can energize your muscles. We all know it’s important to drink water during exercise and working out, but the lack of water can actually make your muscles more tired. Not only does that slow you down, but it puts an unnecessary burden on your muscles. Remember to start drinking water before you work out! If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!
Kidney Health: Your kidneys help you clean out toxins and flush out waste products from your body – but they only work well if you’re hydrated! The more water you drink, the happier your kidneys will be, and the better they’ll function. People who continuously don’t drink enough water are at higher risk for kidney stones.
If you’re well hydrated, your urine should be a clear or pale yellow color. If you’re dehydrated, your urine will be a dark yellow.
Digestion: We don’t normally think about digestion unless we have a stomachache but the process of breaking down food uses a surprisingly high amount of water! Ever experience constipation? It could be due to dehydration! If your intestines don’t have enough water, they’ll pull water out of the stool to help keep itself hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay regular!
But drinking a lot of water can be easier said than done, so here are a few tips on how to get in the habit of staying hydrated:

• Drink a glass of water with each meal
• Drink fluids that you like the taste of – all beverages are a source of water, just make sure you also pay attention to other factors like sugar or calories
• If you feel like snacking, try drinking some water first! Sometimes your body tricks you into thinking thirst is actually hunger.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables – about 20% of all fluid intake comes from food
• Keep a bottle of water with you at your desk, in your bag, or in your car

http://www.humanhealthproject.org/blog/water-key-to-staying-healthy/