You are what you eat, so here is my inner beauty guide

Everyone nowadays is so worried and so concerned about what we eat. We are constantly reminded that “you are what you eat” and “your food is your fuel”. Here are just a few good foods, which we should consume.

Oily Fish

Oily fish is an excellent source of omega 3. We all hear about omega 3, but what does it do? Easy, it helps fight against disease. It also helps improve the texture of our skin and hair. To summarise, we all need it in our diet and for those vegetarians out there, make sure you boost your intake by taking omega 3 supplements daily.

Green Tea

The green tea crazy is here and staying. Unlike many “fads”, green tea is proven to be extremely detoxifying, aids the digestive system and stimulates our metabolism. It contains less caffeine than black tea leaving you feeling more naturally upbeat and less toxic. I personally believe that drinking green tea is also very good to maintain clear skin. How many Chinese ladies do you see with bad skin? Yes, there are many more factors to consider, but green tea is definitely a strong contribution. Asian ladies who have westernised themselves often suffer with skin and hair complaints. This brings me back to the saying “you are what you eat”.

Avocados

Your grandmother would have been told that avocados are nothing but pockets of fat. This is not true. We have now discovered that avocado is actually a “good fat” not like we were previously lead to believe. They are rich in antioxidants and aid in slowing down the body’s ageing process. We have also since discovered that avocados help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. If you eat a lot of avocado, you may notice an increase in the oil content of your hair and skin. If so, you may reduce your intake, but don’t forget, naturally oily skin ages better than dry skin. There is one benefit to having oily skin!

Oats

Porridge kept us all warm before school on a winter morning. Even poor old Oliver relied on his porridge in the morning, so much to ask for “more”. However, did you know porridge could do more than keep you warm and fill you up? It is believed to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Spinach

Popeye was always strong and despite his pipe smoking, had a good heart. Eating your leafy green vegetables will help boost your intake of vitamins A, C, magnesium and folic acid. These are thought to help fight off cancer as well as lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. You will also notice an improvement in your skin if consuming your recommended dose of spinach. Due to the presence of magnesium you help reduce your risk of bone disease and or osteoporosis.

Garlic

Although not always socially acceptable, garlic plays an important role in your diet. It helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, not to mention keep the vampires away! Odourless garlic tablets are available from all good health food stores and pharmacies.

Carrots

You will always remember you mother at the dinner table encouraging you to eat your carrots. She may have been exaggerating when she told you will go blind if you don’t eat your carrots, but she there was some truth in what she was saying. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is the pigment that forms vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, which also helps promote healthy eyes. So it may not prevent you from going blind, but it may help promote healthy eyes. Moral of the story, mother is always right!

Mangoes

This is a seasonal fruit so when it’s available we should take advantage of its goodness. Mangoes contain beta-carotene, vitamin C and E and are said to boost the immune system. They regulate the thyroid and aid the digestive system. Furthermore, Mangoes are said to boost memory and help minimise the chances of developing Alzheimers disease.

Orange Juice

Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. They help lower blood pressure and thus prevent future clogged arteries.

Kiwi Fruit

Did you know that kiwi fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C. So if your not a fan of oranges or perhaps fancy something with a little more zang opt for a kiwi fruit and get your necessary source of vitamin C.