Eating For Health And Beauty

EATING FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY:

What we eat has a profound effect on our health and well-being. There is ample evidence of a link between poor diet and poor health, and this will affect the way you look. Shining hair, clear skin and strong nails are synonymous with good health. Specific foods can have a positive impact on our skin, hair, bodies and overall well-being when eaten as part of a sensible, well-balanced diet. Always make sure to wash fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating, in order to rinse off any traces of pesticides.

For healthy hair and scalp:

Aim for a balance of protein foods, including dairy produce, nuts and pulses (legumes). Your shopping list should include organic artichokes, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and beetroot beet. Choose apricots, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, berries and apples. Also eat plenty of oily fish and shellfish. Dry hair and an itching, flaky scalp may be the result of zinc deficiency. Shellfish are good sources of zinc, as are red meat and pumpkin seeds. Essential fatty acids in vegetable oils, nuts and oily fish can also improve the condition of the scalp, while the minerals in sea vegetables, such as kombu and arame, help to make hair lustrous. Vitamin A and B are important if hair is to be shiny and healthy. Eating liver once a week is a great way of boosting your intake of Vitamin A (retinol), provided that you are not pregnant. Fish liver oils are the richest source of retinol, but it can be obtained from eggs and full cream (whole) milk. Also eat carrots, spinach, red (bell) peppers, sweet potatoes, peaches and dried apricots on a regular basis. These contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. Healthy, shining hair not only feels and looks great, it also reflects good physical well-being and conscientious maintenance.

Improving your skin:

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and is especially vulnerable to the effects of modern living. The most important thing you can do to improve the quality of your skin is to drink water (the ideal is six to eight large glasses every day). Regular exercise and plenty of fresh air, combined with a healthy diet, will work wonders on your skin. If you have a specific skin condition, such as eczema or acne, it is important to consult your doctor, but if you think your skin is looking a bit lifeless and could do with a lift, you may find the following advice helpful. Always try to eat fresh vegetables such as carrots, spinach, broccoli and sweet potatoes which deliver the antioxidant beta-carotene. Citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, berries, avocados, vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts, seeds and types of seafood, provide the antioxidants Vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc, which all help to transport nutrients to the skin and maintain collagen and elastin levels. Zinc-rich foods such as liver, pate and eggs can improve conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Apples are rich in pectin, which helps to cleanse the liver, and so aids skin detoxification. Artichokes are good liver cleansers too, along with asparagus and raw beetroot. Strawberries are rich in B complex Vitamins and Vitamin C; they contain potassium and have good skin-cleansing properties. Fish, meat and eggs provide B vitamins, which promote supple, glowing skin. Similar benefits can be gained from eating oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, sardines and herrings. The fatty acids these fish contain (also found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils), soften and hydrate the skin. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is vital for maintaining a healthy immune system.

For healthy nails:

Make sure to drink plenty of water. To strengthen nails, eat iron-rich foods such as liver, other red meat, fish, poultry, green leafy vegetables, dried apricots and wholegrain cereals. To optimize iron absorption, eat foods rich in Vitamin C, such as tomatoes and potatoes. Dry brittle nails may indicate a zinc deficiency and a meal of braised liver with onions and cherry tomatoes once a week may work wonders. Chickpeas and tofu are a good choice for vegetarians. Wide ridges in nails, may indicate a selenium deficiency which is closely associated with the function of Vitamin E in the body. Good sources are meat, especially liver, fish and shellfish, chicken and wholegrain cereals.

Maximizing nutritional value:

To obtain the most nutritional value from your food, especially fruit and vegetables, it should be as fresh as possible, and preparation or cooking, should ensure that as many nutrients as possible are retained. If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, or buy from a farm where the produce is picked or pulled as needed, freshness is guaranteed. If not, make sure your supplier has a rapid turnover. Try to transport produce home quickly. Remove any plastic wrapping and store produce in a cool larder or in the refrigerator crisper. Avoid buying fresh produce from a supermarket or store that has installed fluorescent lighting over displays, as this can cause a chemical reaction, depleting nutrients in fruits and vegetables. Buy organic produce where possible, and avoid peeling them deeply if you can, since nutrients are concentrated just below the skin. Instead wash thoroughly. Prepared vegetables are convenient, but don’t peel or slice produce until you are ready to use it, as the nutritional value diminishes rapidly after preparation. Try to eat the majority of your vegetables and fruit raw. Otherwise, use a steamer in preference to boiling; because during this process, soluble vitamins such as thiamine, Vitamin C and B Vitamins leach into the water (come out into the water). If you must boil vegetables, use just a little water, and save the water to use in a soup or sauce. Buy nuts and seeds in small quantities. Store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Herbs, spices, pulses, flours and grains should be kept in the same way. Store oils in a cool, dark place to prevent oxidation (spoiling).

Model is Ms. Gillian Gaspard. You can also read some of our other interesting blogs, on our blog page at https://ghgglobalpowerhouse.blogspot.com. GHG GLOBAL POWERHOUSE-giving you the power to lead a happier and healthier life.