Eat Your Way To Your Sexiest Body Ever

Glowing skin and glossy hair boost any girl’s body confidence. Good news is what you eat can influence the condition of your skin.

Essential fatty acids are responsible for skin repair and healthy cell membranes. Among other functions, cell membranes hold water in cells, so strong healthy cell membranes means cells can hold moisture better – translating to moist, plump skin.
What to eat: Foods high in Omega 3 fats are salmon, flaxseed and walnuts. Taking an omega 3 supplement is an easy way to get your intake up. The bonus is omega 3 fats are also good for cardiovascular health and your mood.

These vitamins act as anti-oxidants zapping up free radicals which damage skin cells (and other cells as well).

What to eat: Vitamin A is found in liver, pumpkin, kumara, carrots, spinach and cantaloupe (also known as rock melon). Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, blackcurrants, broccoli, strawberries and red peppers. Get your daily dose of Vitamin E through eating avocado, almonds, prunes, sunflower seeds, spinach, sunflower and safflower oils.

Green Tea has many health benefits, and as an added bonus it is also beneficial for your skin. Green tea contains compounds called polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that green tea can help reduce the risk of sun damage and that its anti-inflammatory properties alone are also beneficial for skin.

New Zealand’s soils are low in Selenium which correlates with a low content of selenium in our food. Selenium is responsible for tissue elasticity and it is also an antioxidant which acts to prevent cell damage by free radicals.

What to eat: An easy way to get your daily does of selenium is to eat two Brazil nuts.

Silica is a trace mineral found in beans, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb and cucumber, and mango. This mineral is used by the body to strengthen connective tissues such as muscles, tendons, hair, nails and bone. It is also vital for healthy skin and deficiency can reduce skins elasticity and impair the body’s ability to heal wounds. 

What to eat: Eating five plus a day fruit and vegetables will ensure you get enough silica in your diet for healthy skin, hair and nails.

Having a great body doesn’t mean looking like Heidi Klum (although that couldn’t hurt!). It’s all about eating well, exercise and body confidence.

Eating well: The bulk of your diet should be based around vegetables, fruit, wholegrain carbohydrates and lean protein. Limit intake of high sugar high fat foods to occasional treats. Eating well affects not only how you look, but also how you feel so aim for a healthy diet. Make sure you keep your diet varied, as this will ensure you get a good balance of nutrients for good health.

Resistance exercise boosts your metabolism, helps maintain strong bones and tones your body - three great reasons to add it to your exercise programme. If you belong to a gym, get a weights programme made up. Not a gym member? Sit-ups, squats and press-ups are all toning exercises that work well without any equipment. Check out your local library or bookstore for books that will give you more ideas for toning up without a gym.

Cardio exercise also tones the body and helps keep the body in good shape. Whether it’s running, dancing or cycling – get moving for at least 30 minutes each day.

 

Remember that every body has its “imperfections” Focus on playing up your good points. Walk tall with good posture and be happy within your own skin. Learning to accept both you’re good and less than perfect bits shows in how you carry yourself. Confidence in its self is sexy, so stand tall and be proud of who you are!