Beauty Foods

March 10, 2011

Eat Your Way to the Most Beautiful You

Feel like you could use a makeover? Don’t spend all your hard-earned cash on beauty products—just look to your diet. By avoiding processed foods and giving your body the essential vitamins and minerals it needs, you can uncover your natural beauty sans quick fixes and creams. It’s true: You are what you eat!

Healthier Hair

Eat these:

egg whites

cottage cheese

brown rice

Your hair is made up of protein, so it’s important to get at least 2–3 servings of protein-rich food each day to keep your hair strong. For super-shiny, split-end–free locks, look to complex carbohydrates with B vitamins, like brown rice

Stronger Nails

Eat these:

spinach

pumpkin seeds

tofu

If your nails are brittle and constantly chipping, you might need more iron. Pair iron-packed foods with fruits and veggies containing vitamin C for increased iron absorption.

Smoother Skin

Eat these:

blueberries

yogurt

walnuts

Vitamin A and other antioxidants, like those found in blueberries and yogurt, help smooth skin and prevent damage from free radicals, while omega-3s, which you get in walnuts, can ward off sun damage and wrinkles.

Whiter Teeth

Eat these:

cheese

carrots

celery

Cheese neutralizes the enamel-discoloring acid in your mouth, while crunchy, raw veggies clean your teeth naturally.

Hug Therapy

Here’s a reason to give a few more hugs: According to a study at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, women who hug more have higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone that helps us bond and feel secure with others. Plus, oxytocin has been shown to reduce cortisol and stress levels. 

Your Aches and Pains Addressed: Charley Horses

You feel:
 Sudden, sharp cramping, usually in your hamstrings, calves or arches of your feet.

Try This: 

• Gently massage and stretch the cramping muscle at the onset of pain as much as possible.

• Place a cold compress on the muscle to help release the tension, and then take a hot bath to ease the pain.

• Increase your potassium intake. Orange juice and bananas are packed with it.


Drink More Water!
One of the most common causes of muscle cramping is dehydration.

Did You Know?

Garlic can be helpful in treating athlete’s foot.
 Simply mince a few cloves, combine them with olive oil and apply the mixture to your feet twice a day. In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that those who did this for one week successfully fought off this pesky ailment. It’s worth it — even if you have stinky feet for a week!

 

Experiencing an afternoon slump? Stand up straight. You’ll instantly feel more awake and confident!