Eat Your Way to a Beautiful You

The quest for beauty and the constant need to look ‘instagrammable’ has resulted in consumers spending excessive amounts on cosmetic and beauty products. Stuff.co.nz reports that in 2016, we Kiwis had spent up to $105 million on cosmetics alone! Hard to believe, isn’t it? But that’s what the statistics say. While most of us hunt for the latest product to achieve the flawless ‘I woke up like this’ look, the solution is a lot closer to home than you think. 

Intrigued? Dr. Jessica Wu, celebrity dermatologist, founder of Dr. Jessica Wu Skincare and author of Feed Your Face says that what you eat is just as important as what you apply to your skin. Speaking to Forbes, she stated that healthy skin is built by the vitamins, amino acids, and minerals that are created from digesting nutritious food.

So, the real secrets to beauty are not found in those flash makeup boutiques and the beauty aisles of the department stores, it's actually found in nutritious food. For healthy hair and skin, we’ve put together five great sources of nutrition recommended by the experts. 

1. White Tea

Want youthful skin? Then you might want to swap that morning cup of coffee with a refreshing cup of white tea. Why? A study by the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London discovered that White Tea has an amazing range of properties such as anti-aging as the tea’s high-levels of anti-oxidants were able to strengthen the collagen and elastin of the skin, making it tight and youthful. The study also discovered that the nutrients in White Tea could prevent heart disease and cancer. Do you still want that cup of coffee after reading this?

2. Dark chocolate

Yes, you read that right! But not just any chocolate, we’re talking about the dark stuff. Dark chocolate is surprisingly loaded with a lot of nutrients called flavonoids that have anti-aging properties. HuffPost reports that flavonoids are capable of fighting against free radicals to keep your skin safe from sun damage and prevent skin discolorations, wrinkles, and fine lines.

But that’s not all that dark chocolate has to offer. Ever heard of the saying by fashion tycoon Christian Dior that says, “happiness is the secret to all beauty”? Well, if you agree in what he says, take a bite of dark chocolate because chocolate has the power to stimulate endorphins, aka the happy hormones, in your brain. Now you can look good and feel good at the same time - thanks to chocolate!

3. Walnuts

The only time to go nuts! Excuse the pun If you’re looking for vitamins for glowing skin, you might want to stock up on some walnuts. According to HuffPost, walnuts are said to be a great source of Vitamin E that keeps your skin plump and smooth. Not sure which vitamin is good for hair? Walnuts may be the answer as Huffpost says that they also prevent your hair from being sun-damaged and keeps it shiny and thick. 

4. Spinach

Thanks to Popeye, we all know spinach is excellent for strength, but did you also know that this superfood is recommended to be included in a diet for glowing skin and hair? Yep, Huffpost says that spinach is not only loaded with a triple dose of antioxidants including Vitamins E and C and Beta Carotene. Together, these nutrients fight against aging caused by the sun’s UV rays. Now, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t put on sunscreen. As a plan of action, drop by your local Pharmacy in Auckland and get you and your family some good quality sunscreen before heading over to the veggie store to stock up on spinach!

5. Lentils

Lentils taste delicious in curries, soups, and burgers. You will be happy to hear that lentils are very good for your skin as well. Lentils are rich in protein and fiber that helps maintain blood sugar levels which are important for clear skin. They are low in calories, rich in iron and an excellent source for prebiotic foods. Jammed packed with nutrients, including lentils in a balanced diet, will keep your hair healthy and strong and leaves you with glowing skin as well.