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:
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 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.
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:
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.
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:
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.”