If you are what you eat then why not eat what makes you beautiful? Hollywood beauties know that there are certain foods that do double duty.
Not only are they delicious, but their make-up turns them into a beauty and/or diet weapon.
Some of the following foods will help your skin look younger while cutting your cravings for sugar and carbs. Other foods help to boost your metabolism and burn fat.
Why not eat for beauty and health? Try to add these foods to your beauty arsenal:
FOODS THAT REV UP YOUR METABOLISM
EGGS. Unless you have a cholesterol problem (and please check with your doctor), eggs are a great way to start the day because they're full of vitamin B12, which is a natural metabolism booster and they leave you feeling full so you don't crave a fattening mid morning snack. A recent study at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that eggs also help boost your muscle tone and as a morning meal on a regular basis help you shed up to eight pounds of abdominal fat in two months. Why? The eggs help turn your stored fat into fuel.
CHILI PEPPERS. Feeling in a spicy mood? Give in to those cravings. When you add cayenne pepper of hot peppers to foods like soups or stews or even create a stir fry dish with them you will also jump start your metabolism.
ICE WATER. There is an ongoing debate if you should drink water at room temperature or over ice. Medical pros tell me that adding ice to your drink actually burns calories because your body must work to warm up your system after a blast of cold. It's a zero cal way to rev things up.
HEALTHY SUBSTITUTIONS
DARK CHOCOLATE. You're welcome. Yes, chocolate is actually good for you. New studies show that when you get rid of saturated fats with monounsaturated fat like in dark chocolate, it can help you lose weight. Just don't go crazy. Most docs recommend no more than 25 to 35 percent of your daily calories come from fats – even the good fats.
CONTROL YOUR SUGAR CRAVINGS
CINNAMON. Here's a secret many diabetics know: If you add cinnamon to foods such as cereal, yogurt or into banana smoothies (delicious) you will stabilize your blood sugar and crave less sugar. You can even try a sprinkle of cinnamon over some toast or in your oatmeal. A great smoothie is one ripe banana, one cup of almond milk, half teaspoon of vanilla, three sprinkles of cinnamon and a cup of ice. Blend and serve. It's dessert in a glass, plus the cinnamon levels out your blood sugar.
BLUEBERRIES. Stars like Nicole Kidman are known for snacking on berries as a way to eat something sweet that's healthy. Berries including raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are excellent choices because they give you that hint of dessert without containing so much sugar that you go on a binge.
FOODS THAT DE-STRESS
SPINACH. Here's great news if you're stressed (and who isn't?) If you add spinach to your diet, you will lower your cortisol levels, which is otherwise known as your stress hormone and why some people keep the weight in their mid-section. Try a healthy shake packed with berries, almond milk, ice and spinach. You won't even taste the greens, but your body will know it's there.
SAY NO TO THAT SECOND CUP OF COFFEE OR ANOTHER DIET SODA. If you cut out caffeine, studies show that you will have a marked drop in anxiety and stressful feelings with 72 hours. It's certainly worth a try although don't be surprised if you get a headache. Caffeine is actually a powerful drug in your system. Once you get it out of your system, you will most like also experience a surge in energy.
EXTRA CREDIT: FOODS THAT FIGHT ACHES AND PAINS
WHITE WILLOW TEA AND CHAMOMILE TEA. Look for White Willow tea in your markets or health food stories. Studies show it's rich in salicin, the same thing found in aspirin. It's a great way to fight arthritis pain or even that achy after-the-gym feeling. It's easy to find Chamomile tea anywhere. Research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center shows that chamomile not only helps with muscle pains, but also lowers your stress hormones.
GINGER. Another great natural way to combat arthritis stiffness is adding ginger to your diet and enjoying the anti-inflammatory properties.
