An ancient idea that persists to modern times is that we admire beauty because people are naturally drawn to what is good. Eating beauty foods, that draw out toxins from the body, promote muscular regeneration and glorify the skin, not only makes us look beautiful on the outside, but gives our bodies the nutrition and good health we need.
Bombarded by youthful ads, ever evolving skincare systems, the latest anti-aging treatments, corrective make up techniques, better lotions and improved potions, we live in a media constructed world that emphasizes clear skin. It's our visual barometer measuring youth, health, vitality, balance and nourishment.
Nutritional foods are often overlooked. And more than often, the simple lessons of eating good foods, drinking lots of water, getting plenty of rest and exercise are not part of a person's skin care equation. Life catches up with all of us; stress, fluctuating hormones, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and a built up of toxic elements in our bodies play havoc with us all. Our skin is our internal mirror and it's time to take a good hard look at what we eat in order to and put 'health into beauty'!
Smile! Healthy = sexy = happy.
With my diverse background in cosmetology, fitness and nutrition I have come to understand the power of food. Looking good, feeling good and eating good are all embedded in the core concept of GlamFit Beauty. You are what you eat!
My signature GlamFit superfoods will not only put the glow back in your skin, but rejuvenate you from head to toe. Drop weight, cinch up your waist line, and feeling ten years younger are goals that everyone can attain by adding these super foods to your health, vitality and beauty conscious lifestyle.
So let's get rid of the clutter, give ourselves a break, breathe and simplify our beauty regimen. It's a New Year a New You and a New Beauty! Glamfit Beauty!
1. Omega 3's
Fish, fish, fish is your skin's saving grace! Steelhead Wild Alaskan Salmon is one of the best gifts you can give your skin. Loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids it reduces inflammation, redness, wrinkles and sagginess at the cellular level.
Salmon's nutrients help keep the skin smooth, soft and silky. My number one GlamFit Beauty secret is to eat salmon at least 3 times a week. Your skin and smile will radiate a beautiful glow.
Single pink salmon seeks skin to sexify.
2. Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, acai berry are amongst the top super berries. Their antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects protect you from premature aging.
Berries! Sweet, beautiful berries!
Eat at least a half-cup of fruit with breakfast, in yogurt, fruit salads, or mix them with skin-enhancing nuts like walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. The possibilities of fresh, healthy, on the go snacks are endless.
3. Kiwi
A fantastic source of vitamin C and other anti-aging antioxidants like vitamin E, potassium, folic acid and chromium. Kiwi offers beauty benefits from stimulating collagen synthesis to maintaining healthy bones and teeth to protecting against wrinkles and premature aging.
This fuzzy green fruit is leading the way as the next great anti-aging agent for skin rejuvenation, even more than green tea! In my opinion, everyone should be adding kiwis to their diet about 4-5 times a week.
Cutting them in half, and spooning the fruit out of its fuzzy cup is an easy way to eat them as they make a quick and good for your skin mid-afternoon snack.
Kiwis: so convenient, they come in their own fuzzy cups!
4. Sweet Potatoes
The secret is out; sweet potatoes will give you a big boost of beauty-enhancing beta-carotene, a fat-soluble pigment found in many orange vegetables and fruits. It's a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells by destroying the free radicals that can damage skin cells and cause age-related disorders.
The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, keeping the skin smooth and firm. Superfoods at its best, sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and E.
Voila' even Bobbi Brown will say add a small sweet potato 5-7 times a week and your complexion will thank you.
5. Walnuts
Everyone should be eating more nuts. Hailed as the king of nuts, walnuts are the only type of nut that contains a significant amount of beauty-enhancing omega-3 fatty acids. They also provide vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cells from free-radical damage and is associated with beautiful skin.
Smooth skin tone, healthy hair, vibrant eyes, and strong bones can all be attributed to the dominant nutrients found in walnuts. Add a small handful of walnuts daily to your diet. Unsalted, unroasted almonds and pumpkin seeds are another great source rich in Vitamin E, which make a great mix with the king of nuts, and a crunchy and delicious ingredient in salads.
6. Low-Fat Yogurt
Yogurt is the only dairy good for your complexion. The probiotic bacteria in yogurt is very important for healthy, radiant skin, improving the immune system and killing bacteria that causes acne and other skin problems.
The calcium in yogurt provides strong nails, beautiful smiles, while zinc creates collagen providing the structural support in skin. Treat yourself to this beauty cup once a day. Maybe even add some berries and nuts like I do.
7. Spinach
One of the original superfoods, spinach is an exceptional must have for radiant skin. It contains a significant amount of beta-carotene, vitamin C, K, and several B vitamins, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, make it a wonderfully nutrient-dense vegetable.
Spinach should be eaten raw or lightly steamed to preserve the skin power ingredients.
Spinach: this leafy green longs to make you look good.
8. Tomatoes
Although this usage isn't as common as it used to be, 'tomato' is slang for an attractive woman and a 'hot-tomato' for a very-attractive woman. Fact being a tomato has a lot of beauty ingredients and is one of the healthiest foods available! One cup of tomatoes contains over 57 percent of Vitamin C, over 22 percent of Vitamin A, and over 10 percent Vitamin K.
It's loaded in minerals, B vitamins and vitamin E. It is also very high in lycopene - the phytochemical that gives the tomato its red colour, and is known to be among the most potent anti-aging antioxidants.
The fruit's bright colour tells you everything you need to know. The lycopene in tomatoes is actually more easily absorbed by the body after it is processed into juice and pureed into sauces. Add tomatoes to your daily salads or combine it with other fruits and vegetables in your daily, fresh pressed juices.
10. Citrus foods
Grapefruit is one of my favourite citrus fruits I eat for breakfast every morning. Like other citrus fruits, grapefruit is rich in vitamin C necessary for collagen production.
Grapefruits in turn protect our skin from UV damage. Since most visible signs of skin aging are the direct result of sun damage, this is one more layer of defense to add to your GlamFit skin-care regimen.
There's nothing sour about the sun-protection powers of grapefruit.
11. Dark Chocolate
The best kept secret in the beauty world, chocolate is good for you. High cocoa (60%) dark chocolate contains polyphenols and has potent antioxidant, anti-aging properties.
Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, which regulate blood flow to the skin, leading to better hydration, protection against damage by free radicals and prevent wrinkles.
Go ahead and indulge in some guiltless pleasure or maybe even melt some dark chocolate and dip your strawberries for an extra dose of GlamFit Beauty.
Chocolawesome.
12. Water
Water is the single most important element for cellular integrity and yes, water is your GlamFit Beauty drink. Guzzle on this magic god-given beverage like a fish and watch your skin improve.
Water moisturizes your skin from the deeper layers within and in no time will show you that flawless, radiant complexion on the outside.
Glam your water with slices of lemons, 9159, mint, and cucumbers for some added flavour. I try to drink at least 4 L/day.