Sunday, December 21, 2008

You are what you eat... (a healthy post!)

Around this time of year life can get a hectic for all of us. All the shopping, planning and always on the go you’re probably like me and don’t eat the healthiest of things. But who honestly has the time to stop and prepare a salad in a midday panic? Not I.
Here are 8 foods that have been found to actually HELP reduce stress and better skin. Enjoy!

Berries, ANY berries: They’re great at countering the skin damaging free radicals generated by stress. When the pressure is on, eat them like one by one. (like healthy M&Ms).

Guacamole: Avocados are loaded with B vitamins, which stress quickly depletes and which your body needs to maintain nerves and brain cells. Plus, their creaminess comes from healthy monounsaturated fat- the same kind that makes olive oil good for your skin!

Nuts: Just an ounce of walnuts will replace those stress-depleted B’s; Brazil nuts give you a whooping amount of zinc, which prevents dry, itchy skin; almonds boost your vitamin E, which helps fight cellular damage link to chronic stress and may even lower your blood pressure.

Orange: According to a recent study, people who took 1000mg of vitamin C before giving a speech had lower cortisol levels and blood pressure than those who didn’t.

Asparagus: Each tender stalk is a source of folate, a B vitamin that appears to be essential for mood and proper nerve function in the brain.

Salmon
: Omega-3 fatty acid is salmon isn’t just good for your skin. Studies show people who eat ample amounts of DHA have a much lover incidence of depression, aggressiveness and hostility.

Spinach: Happy greens! (the dark leafy ones) like spinach are a quick way to get your daily vitamin A, which helps revitalize the skin’s surface by increasing cell turnover.

& of course…

Dark Chocolate: No one knows for sure why we crave chocolate. It could be one of its hundreds of compounds, including phenylethlamine (chemical that triggers similar to falling in love), or simply taste. What we do know is that the antioxidant flavonols in dark chocolate help keep blood pressure steady and your mind sharp. YUM!

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