Get glowing skin, thicker hair, lustrous
peepers and a fitter body, all with a little help from these super foods, says
nutritionists.
You don't have to starve yourself to look good. All you need is to eat the
right foods.
Here's a beauty diet plan carefully put together by our expert to
help you look fabulous
Eyes
Green vegetables: Spinach, zucchini,
broccoli and
brussels sprouts
contain a caroteinoid called lutein and a pigment called zeaxanthinan. Both
defend your cells from free radicals and help keep your eyes lustrous. Avoid
overcooking for best benefits. Steam or saut?, instead.
- Orange and other vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and fibre work
against under-eye puffiness.
SkinProbiotic yoghurt: It contains good
bacteria that help your skin look healthy. Eczema sufferers can benefit a great
deal from a daily intake.
Fish: Oily fish such as sardines and
mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids that reduce skin inflammation and keep it
moisturised. They also promote elasticity, keeping wrinkles at bay.
Berries: Strawberries, blueberries,
etc., contain antioxidant phytonutrients that get rid of free radicals in the
blood and guard your collagen, thereby boosting skin repair. Collagen makes your
skin supple, smooth and plump.
NailsHave chicken, turkey, pork, milk, cheese, yeast, peanuts, beans, wholegrain
cereals to avoid brittle nails. Pumpkin seeds are one of the most concentrated
non-meat sources of zinc. But many vegetarian foods also contain phytic acid
that binds with zinc, making it unavailable to the body. Hence, take a Vitamin C
supplement. It will make zinc more available.
HairPoultry: Lean meats like chicken and
turkey provide
high quality proteins, essential for growth, repair and maintenance. Low-fat
milk products such as skimmed milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are great sources
too. If you like eggs and don't suffer from high cholesterol, have one yolk a
day. It contains Vitamin B-12 which promotes hair growth and prevents hair
loss.
Salmon: It contains omega-3 fatty
acids, B12 and iron.
Flaxseeds: What salmon does for
non-vegetarians, flax seed does for vegans.
Oysters: Try oysters for faster hair
growth. They contain zinc.
Whole wheat and brown rice : Make sure
you include whole wheat, brown rice and fortified cereals in your everyday diet.