Looking Good and Feeling Great: The Importance of Good Nutrition

So here we are at the beginning of a New Year. Each January most of us make New Year resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, get fit, help others or eat healthier.

In this article I would like to focus on the importance of good nutrition.

Most of our diets are based on processed food, which is high in saturated fats, sodium, sugar, added hormones, and chemicals. Because of our fast-paced lives, we eat too many packaged food, sugary snacks, and take out food. It’s no wonder that the rate of cancer, strokes, and diabetes are going up every year. Unhealthy eating habits also have a huge effect on our mental health causing depression, stress, and anxiety. 

Eating a well-balanced diet is not only good for our health but can help us stay looking younger, by firming our skin, smoothing wrinkles and giving shine to our hair and nails. Foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals will also provide an anti-aging effect.

I am not telling you something that you don’t already know, we all are aware of this fact. The challenge is to do something about our eating habits and to be good to ourselves in the New Year in order to feel and look better!

So let's get started - 

First clean out your food pantry and freezer by throwing away any white flour, sugar, pasta and hi-processed snacks and then restock with vegetable oil, extra–virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, and whole wheat pasta. When shopping, fill your cart with plenty of vegetable and fruits, lean and organic non-processed meats and free-range eggs. They make the best weight loss supplements for men.

Here are some suggestions for food that will make you look better and feel younger.

Blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C and B6 that helps to produce collagen to keep your skin smooth and plump. Spinach, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables are also full of anti-aging antioxidants plus they are high in lutein to boost skin hydration and elasticity. Fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, and trout are high in Omega-3 fats, which helps to reduce inflammation and slow down free radical damage. An additional benefit - Omega 3 fats also gives us shiner hair and helps to keep our skin moisturized to prevent wrinkles.

Eggs contain anti-wrinkle amino acids that have powers to produce elastin and collagen. Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, yellow and orange peppers are high in beta-carotene. This helps prevent dry skin and protects skin from sun damage.

Green tea, acai, pomegranates, citrus fruits, and prunes are also high in antioxidants and flavonoids that fight against free radicals which speeds up the aging process. And my favorite is dark chocolate, which helps reduce skin redness and aids in moisturizing the skin.

All of these great choices in food that are not only delicious but also great for our health and good looks. By adjusting to a well-balanced diet, we will all have no problem in keeping the resolution of having better nutrition in this New Year!

To your health!

Margaret