Fall Beauty Foods – Treat Yourself To Color!
You are what you eat – and that means watching what goes in your body is just as important as what you put on your body! This fall, it’s all about color, both for outward beauty and inner health. Here’s the top ten beauty foods you should be adding to your diet this Fall:
Pomegranates are a timeless beauty food! The gorgeous color of the seeds bodes well for those who harvest half a fruit a day – pomegranates contain three types of antioxidants-tannins, anthocyanins, ellagic acid and a whopping five grams of fiber per serving! Beauty benefit: Healthier skin and stronger nails.
Pumpkin isn’t just good in a pie – the beta carotene can be converted into Vitamin A, which is utilized for cell repair. Plenty of other vitamins pack this brightly colored squash, so get a duble helping. Beauty benefit: Younger, healthier looking skin and less brittle nails.
Cranberries are a surprisingly good source of Vitamin C, caroteinoids, Vitamin A, and antioxidants which help to eliminate damage causing free radicals and prevent the breakdown of collagen in your skin. Beauty benefit: Healthier skin and eyes.
Watercress is, like many veggies on our list, stuffed with beta Carotene that we convert to vitamin A, but the real secret benefit is sulfur. Not the fire and brimstone kind – the kind that our bodies need! Watercress is also crammed with vitamin K. Beauty benefit: Clearer skin (even helps eczema) and stronger, shinier nails.
Apples – one a day keeps the doctor way – there’s actually some truth to that old saw, as researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discovered in a 2010 pilot study. The soluble fiber in the pulp and peel of apples can actually trigger an anti-inflammatory response in cells,meaning you can fight off infection faster. Beauty benefit: Clearer skin – and according to some researchers, a flatter midsection.
Cinnamon is loaded with fiber, calcium, iron and manganese, all of which are beneficial to your outer appearance by promoting health at a cellular level. In addition, this fragrant spice is a natural appetite suppressant, meaning a good sprinkling of it can help you keep weight off during holiday feasting. Antioxidants boost your cellular regeneration as well. Beauty benefit: A slimmer physique and plumper, younger looking skin.
Sweet Potatoes make the perfect holiday dish – and are chock full of eye and skin supporting vitamins like A and C., as well as vitamin B-6to boost your immune system and battle germs when the relatives come to town. Don’t forget the beta carotene ! Beauty benefit: Healthier skin with more power to fight off UV rays, as well as fewer wrinkles as you age.
Persimmons make a lovely pudding – and supply cholesterol controlling antioxidants, such as catechins and polyphenols – plus iodine for thyroid function, a boon for those who’ve sworn off salt. These healthy Asian fruits are a delicacy at any time of year! Beauty benefit: Glowing skin and healthier hair.
Brussels Sprouts have a bad rap, but the early harvest when cooked gently can be delicious. There’s plenty of vitamins K and C as well as a healthy dose of folate, which can reduce the chances of cancer. Beauty benefit: Healthier skin and a better complexion.
Beets. These rich root vegetables are among the best foods for you, containing a myriad of vitamins and other beneficial nutrients. Just one serving delivers folate, manganese and potassium, as well as nitrite (which British researchers say can reduce blood pressure naturally!) Don’t toss the tops, either – the greens contain bone enriching calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C for eye and immune system health. Beauty benefit: Shinier hair, stronger nails, and (if thin slices are munched raw) healthier teeth and gums!
Adding in just one of these beauty foods each day can benefit your skin, hair, eyes, teeth, gums, and overall health while helping you look younger and more radiant. Start looking for recipies online today, and serve up colorful dishes to make your holiday table and yourself shine.
Tags: Apples, Beets, Brussel Sprouts, Cinnamon, Cranberries, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes, Watercress