Feed your face
We all know that beauty starts from inside. Here are some of the best foods to feed your hair, nails and skin to feel beautiful all summer long.
Seeds
There are many different types of seeds which can help improve beauty from the inside including chia, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Tiny black chia seeds are packed with minerals and fibre that fight ageing, soothe inflammation and keep your skin looking radiant and healthy. Meanwhile, flax seeds are loaded with nutrients, omega-3 fats and dietary fibre, all of which play an important part in the health of your skin, hair and nails. Sprinkle them generously into smoothies and over fruit salads. As for pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, they are packed with vitamin E, zinc and magnesium. They help keep your skin glowing and are perfect for snacking on between meals and meetings. With a nutritious dose of zinc and selenium they help in nail growth and discolourations too.
Spinach
This leafy green is high in nutrients and antioxidants necessary for glowing skin and healthy hair. It is also loaded with vitamin C which is important for the building and maintenance of collagen and vitamin A which helps to grow your nails and strengthen bones. Add it to any meal as a side salad or as part of your daily green juice.
Berries
There’s always been a healthy buzz about berries because they are bursting with vitamin C, which helps build up new collagen in the skin. Blueberries pack quite a punch when it comes to antioxidants and blackberries are full of vitamin E, beta carotene and potassium. Strawberries look good, taste even better and should be an essential part of your meals. Throw them in the mixer with some Greek yoghurt for a delicious smoothie, or just munch them on as a healthy snack.
Avocado
High in protein and vitamin A, avocados are also packed with essential fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants making them a health staple. They also help maintain the oil and pH levels for clean hair follicles and quick hair growth. Perfect in a salad, sandwich or smoothie, make sure you eat this nutritious and delicious fruit at least a couple of times a week.
Tomato
One of nature’s greatest health benefactors, especially where the skin is concerned. Full of the antioxidant lycopene, they improve the skin’s ability to protect itself against harmful UV rays. The vitamins and irons present in the fruit also help in adding shine to dull, damaged and lifeless hair. Eat them raw, in salads or drink as a juice.
Nuts
Generally known to be high in vitamin B with their healthy fats benefiting the elastin and collagen in skin, nuts are also rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that is essential for healthy, younger looking skin. Almonds are the best beauty food as they help nourish the skin and provide nutrition to the hair follicles. Pistachios are high in fibre and help maintain healthy skin, boost immunity and stimulate hair growth. Walnuts are packed with healthy essential fats, antioxidants, vitamins and contain biotin which encourages healthy shiny hair and nail growth. Cashews and macadamia nuts are also very good for healthy skin, nails and glowing mane. Snack whenever, wherever.
Lemons
Begin your day with some hot water and a slice of this superstar fruit. It detoxifies the body by helping your digestive system and liver eliminate waste quickly. A wonderful source of vitamin C, continue drinking this throughout the day and squeeze on top of salads and in juices. You can’t have too much of it.
Honey
This is one of the best natural products that has been used to nourish hair and skin for centuries. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties helping skin retain moisture, making it soft and supple. It helps soothe chapped lips, dandruff and much more. Whether you splash it all over your body, mix it in smoothies or use it in salad dressing for your lunch. Using this miracle syrup is a must.
Broccoli
This is the ultimate superfood because just one small portion provides nearly one-third of your daily vitamin E requirement. It’s also packed with vitamins A and C, iron and folic acid. Steam away and eat to your heart’s content.
Salmon
This fish is good for your heart, hair, nails and skin. You’ll be supplying your body with tons of proteins, essential omega-3 fatty acids, iron and vitamins B6 and B12, which keep nails from splitting or breaking. An added bonus – it’s easy to cook and tasty too.
Olive Oil
Known for reducing inflammation, this oil is loaded with powerful antioxidants, is very nutritious and contains vitamins E and K. Not only that, it’s believed it helps heart health, type 2 diabetes, and reduce cholesterol. It’s also known to improve the dryness of skin and works well to moisturise the scalp.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is great for fighting acne and can be found in a lot of face masks. It can be used as an antiseptic, slows signs of ageing, stimulates hair growth, helps your body to get rid of toxins and boosts your immune system. We recommend boiling with ginger for a healthy homemade tea.
Water
You should ensure you drink at least 1.5 litres a day. This simple but essential source of health has the ability to quench your thirst, flush out toxins, carry nutrients to the cells, keeps skin young, increases skin elasticity, nourishes nails, especially their thickness, and makes our hair look and feel strong.
Cucumber
Due to its high-water content, cucumbers aid in boosting the body’s hydration and flushing out toxins. Loaded with antioxidants, it protects your body from infections and improves sleep. Drink a glass of cucumber juice at least once a week, as it is packed with nutrients and encourages proper functioning of the body.
Tumeric
In days gone by turmeric paste was used to give a glow to the skin and many beauty masks stilll contain this wonder spice for the very same reason. Packed with immense antiseptic and antibacterial properties, it also promotes collagen synthesis, helps fight acne, whiten teeth, reduce dark circles, stimulates hair growth and is a natural pain killer. Raw turmeric can be boiled along with ginger and cinnamon as an immunity booster.
Eggs
Whether you like them boiled, poached, as an omelet or just plain scrambled, eggs give our body proteins, B12, vitamins A and E, iron, biotin and much more. In addition, egg whites are high in lysine and amino acids as well as collagen. We’re talking health benefits from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
For more on all things beauty, pick up a copy of June’s ‘The Beauty Issue’ or download it here.
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Images: Getty and Unsplash
