Sunday, 26 August 2007

Eat Yourself Gorgeous

Can you really eat yourself gorgeous? Yes, you can! Everything you put in your body makes a difference -- and not just to your weight. By eating the right foods, you can have glossy hair, clear [up your] skin, reduce cellulite and get healthy nails. Here's our guide to eating beautiful.

Cellulite Shopping List

* Mangoes
* Kiwis
* Cantaloupe melons
* Grapes
* Pineapple
* Lemons
* Brazil nuts
* Almonds
* Sunflower seeds
* Bottled water

Cellulite is one of the hardest things to banish. That familiar orange-peel effect is caused by a buildup of toxins under the skin, which is why taking things out of your diet is as important as adding new things. Caffeine and alcohol are the worst culprits. Kick-start your body, cleansing [your system] with a cup of hot water and a slice of lemon first thing in the morning. Foods rich in antioxidants will help clean from the inside out, as will those high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. And drink lots of water!

Shiny Hair: Shopping List

* Liver
* Kidney
* Eggs
* Lean red meat
* Bananas
* Dark green fruits
* Dark green vegetables
* Nuts
* Salmon
* Mackerel

Hair needs two essential fatty acids to keep it strong and healthy. These are omega-3 and omega-6. You can find omega-3 in tuna, salmon, mackerel and dark green vegetables like cabbage. Hair thrives on protein and needs a balanced source of iron -- found in liver, kidneys, egg yolks and red meat. A lack of magnesium has also been linked to long-term hair problems. Stock up on bananas, dark green fruits and veggies and nuts for your magnesium fix.

Healthy Skin Shopping List

* Salmon
* Walnuts
* Low-fat dairy products: yogurt, milk, cheese
* Turkey
* Tuna
* Brazil nuts
* Green tea
* Water (hard tap water is best)
* Blackberries
* Blueberries
* Strawberries
* Plums

Because essential fatty acids keep skin cells healthy, it is important to make sure that they are fed these key foods. Cells are responsible for holding in moisture, so the better shape they're in, the plumper your skin will look. Vitamin A is also important, so eat low-fat dairy products, in particular yogurt. Selenium -- found in turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts -- is also great for skin cells. Get some antioxidants -- berries and plums have high levels. These protect skin from damaging free radicals.

Metabolism Booster Shopping List

* Oranges
* Grapefruit
* Apples
* Berries: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
* Peanuts
* Liver
* Cauliflower

Citrus fruits, soy beans, apples and berries are a good way to get your system moving. The vitamin C found in the citrus fruits has fat-burning qualities and it makes it easier for the body to flush out fats. Pectin, found in apples and berries, limits the amount of fat which cells absorb and soy beans contain lecithin -- a chemical that helps prevent fat being stored in your cells and breaks down fatty deposits. You can also find lecithin in peanuts, liver and cauliflower.

Strong Nails Shopping List

* Chicken
* Fish
* Cheese
* Oranges
* Olive oil
* Eggs
* Crab
* Lean beef

Nails are made from keratin, a form of protein, which means keeping a good level of protein in your diet is important. Find it in chicken, fish and cheese. If nails are brittle, this could be a sign of an iron deficiency -- find it in a wide variety of foods: meat, liver, kidney, fruit, cereals and vegetables. Team foods high in iron with foods containing vitamin C, as it helps the body absorb the iron quicker. Zinc is important, not only for nails, but for bones, too: Eat lean beef, crab and chicken. Strengthen nails with essential fatty acids, and in particular, olive oil.

Healthy Bones Shopping List

* Milk
* Cheese
* Yogurt
* Nuts
* Sunflower seeds
* Pumpkin seeds
* Dark green cabbage

A diet rich in calcium will keep bones strong and healthy. Up your intake of milk, cheese, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables and essential fatty acids. Women take note: You are more prone to the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis than men, as you have less bone mass. Combine calcium-rich foods with vitamin D found in cereals, as this helps speed up absorption.


Just wanna be fit , healthy and wise :)
Clarity


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