Something miraculous happens when we improve nutrition; we look better. If you stand and look at yourself in a mirror, most of the physical imperfections you see can be corrected with nutrition, exercise, and overall lifestyle. For many, looking better can be a powerful motivator for healthy lifestyle changes. Some of the physical signs that you may need to clean up your diet include:
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Premature skin aging
- Belly fat and excess weight
- Poor oral hygiene and problematic teeth
- Skin problems such as dryness or acne
- Dry or brittle hair lacking shine
- Cracking nails or cuticles
- Dull skin tone
The good news is that you have the power to take charge of your health and look better. Here are five steps to nutrition-based beauty.
Improve Digestion to Look Better
Improve digestion through mindful eating. If your digestion is compromised, you may experience a number of symptoms, as listed above. Start by incorporating more whole foods into your diet and reduce processed foods. To support good digestion, remember to eat slowly and chew food thoroughly, sit at a table with good posture (not at your desk or in front of the television), and monitor portions to avoid overeating, which stresses the digestive tract. Feel gratitude for your food.
Eat Plenty of Beauty Foods
Such foods contain high concentrations of certain nutrients such as protein, bioflavonoids, polyphenols, B vitamins, biotin, sulfur, zinc, silicon, iron, magnesium, and essential fats. Choose foods high in vitamin C, an essential part of skin health as an antioxidant and a critical factor for collagen synthesis. Top choices in this category include:
- Bone Broth contains collagen/gelatin, marrow nutrients, minerals, and gut-healing amino acids.
- Avocados provide vitamin E and biotin for skin, hair, and nails.
- Salmon is high in omega 3 fats and astaxanthin, a carotenoid that improves skin elasticity.
- Eggs, a complete protein, repairs free radical-damaged cells and contains biotin and sulfur.
- Edamame is rich in isoflavones, which can help preserve skin-forming collagen.
- Walnuts are great for longer, stronger hair; omega-3-6-9 fats (protect against UV rays and soothe dry skin), potassium, biotin, B vitamins, and melatonin.
- Hemp Seeds contain all 9 essential amino acids, the perfect balance of omega 3 and 6 fats to help reduce inflammation, iron, zinc, sulfur, B vitamins, and fiber.
Look Better With Proper Hydration
Hydrate with healthy beverages. Reduce or eliminate beverages containing sugar and make water your beverage of choice. Consider infusing water with cucumber slices since cucumber is a natural diuretic and anti-inflammatory (great for puffy eyes). Choose green tea over coffee with its skin-friendly polyphenol nutrients and EGCG to boost your metabolism. Eliminate alcohol to notice dramatic improvements in facial appearance.
Engage in Daily Physical Activity
Exercise promotes good circulation, which is essential for health and beauty. The benefits include a positive influence on your skin and the ability to maintain your youthful looks:
- improved stamina and overall energy
- increased muscle strength and tone
- increased blood circulation and improved cardiovascular condition
- increased oxygen supply to cells and tissues
- decreased blood sugar levels, and a lower risk for diabetes
- weight management
- stress reduction
- increased self-esteem and sense of well-being
Get Restful Sleep to Look Better
If you get less than six hours of sleep each night, it will likely affect your appearance. In fact, obtaining seven to nine hours of sleep each night can be considered the “fountain of youth.” Lack of sleep can also make you insulin-resistant, which makes weight loss difficult and increases belly fat.
Start now on the road to nutrition-based beauty, and remember – Healthy is the new “beautiful.”
