We all want to age our best and defy the aging process, and guess what this is something that is totally attainable for everyone. Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle as well as a healthy and realistic approach to the aging process are important for defying the aging process and living your best life. An important part of creating a balanced anti-aging lifestyle is nutrition. Learning to consume foods that help to decrease the key signs of premature aging as well as prevent chronic health issues is one of the simplest and most affordable ways you can defy aging in your everyday life.
Today I am going to discuss the best diet for those that want to defy aging while enjoying a healthy and happy relationship with food.
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Best Diet for Premature Aging & Preventative Health
When it comes to the aging process most are concerned with the outward signs and appearance of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, loose sagging skin, uneven skin tone and struggling with changes in the body. There is also concern regarding chronic health diseases and issues such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Consuming a diet where you are getting key vitamins and minerals that help to combat these issues is crucial as you enter into the aging process.
When it comes to diets that are the most beneficial for aging the Mediterranean Diet is one of the most mentioned and studied diets when it comes to decreasing premature aging signs and symptoms as well as chronic health issues. Also, those that follow a plant-based diet also tend to struggle less frequently with aging-related concerns or issues. Let’s talk about why these two types of diets are so popular with those that are wanting to defy aging.
Reasons Why These Diets Are Awesome
There are 4 key reasons as to why these diets are important and highly promoted as healthy and beneficial.
More Nutrient Dense Whole & Minimally Processed Foods
The foundation of these diets is placed on the importance of consuming a wide variety of fruits and vegetables while decreasing the amount of processed and industrially produced foods. This allows the body to absorb and process the vitamins and minerals that it needs the most during the aging process which can aid in better preventing chronic health issues, chronic inflammation, and premature aging symptoms. This also helps in achieving and maintaining a healthy and sustainable weight.
Antioxidant Rich Fruits & Vegetables
Antioxidants are important for helping to protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for causing oxidative stress which can damage the cells and proteins within the body and accelerate the aging process. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, grapes, eggplant, oranges, plums, and raisins will aid in increasing the number of antioxidants in your diet. Consuming tea such as green tea, matcha green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and white tea is also another highly beneficial way of obtaining antioxidants naturally.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Foods, spices, and teas that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients work to decrease inflammation in the body while also protecting and supporting immune health. This is important in combating chronic health issues that deal with chronic pain and chronic systemic low-grade inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, or autoimmune disease such as lupus. Foods such as garlic, turmeric, curcumin, walnuts, almonds, olive oil, coconut oil, and pineapple help fight and decrease inflammation in the body.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for helping to decrease inflammation, improve circulatory health, and assist with digestive and gut health. Our body does not naturally make or produce omega-3 fatty acids so it’s important that you consume food such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.
How This Benefits the Skin
While it may not seem that these things have an effect on skin health they all play an important role in the overall health and well-being of your skin and how well it ages.
Nutrients such as Vitamin A are responsible for stimulating collagen production naturally. Increasing your intake of foods high in Vitamin A such as dark leafy greens before your collagen productions slow down to a halt will help to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and maintain a more plump look to the skin. Essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 as well as Vitamin E aid in improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture and remain hydrated while preventing inflammatory responses within the skin. Vitamin C is helpful in boosting the skin’s healthy inner glow naturally. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods alike help to protect the skin from unnecessary UV damage which helps to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.
Transitioning to A Skin-Friendly Diet
If you are ready to make changes to your nutrition and begin working towards healthier skin and overall wellness here are a few tips you can follow.
#1. Start Slow
Don’t overwhelm yourself and try to overhaul your diet all at once. Take your time and start by making small changes that you can easily commit to. Then once you are comfortable with those small changes and are doing them on a regular and consistent basis start building on those small changes until you are where you want to be. Bear in mind that when you are making changes to your diet and working to improve your skin from the inside out you are not going to notice changes right away. It is a process and not a quick fix all good things take time.
#2. Decrease Amount of Processed & Refined Foods
One of the easiest changes you can make as well as most beneficial is to begin cutting back on the number of processed foods that you consume and replacing them with whole minimally processed foods. Cutting back on the amount of sugar that you consume in your coffee or tea, and decreasing the amount of packaged snacks and treats that you eat. Find healthier alternatives and save these types of foods for special occasions or every now and then instead of making them staples in your daily diet.
#3. Increase Fruit & Vegetable Intake
This is also another fairly easy and quick fix. Make it a point to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Challenge yourself to eat vegetables at each meal and opt for fruit as snacks or desserts.
#4. Experiment With Different Food Styles
Easing into a new way of eating by experimenting with various foods styles and ways to prep meals is a great way to introduce your palate to more healthy dishes. Try a meal delivery service such as Hello Fresh where you get to create healthy fresh recipes. Utilize a meal app where you can find a variety of yummy recipes to experiment and try. This will help you to build your recipe bank while expanding your imagination and showing you the healthy possibilities that exist.
Let’s Talk Holistic Wellness
Chances are if you have been following my blogs or if you follow my social media sites you should have a pretty solid idea of the work I do as a wellness coach. I teach you how to incorporate a holistic and balanced way of looking at your health and wellness that includes skin health, fitness, nutrition and wellness practices. I help those that are new to implementing this more holistic and intuitive approach to their health and wellness teaching the simple habit-based ways you can improve your skin health, nutrition and wellness. I create an easy and completely customized fitness plan that will accommodate your schedule and lifestyle while keeping you active and fit. If you are ready to get serious about your health and wellness and get started on creating the healthy life of your dreams schedule your FREE Discovery Session today and let’s talk about how I can help you get started on the path to a better you.
Ready to Defy Aging?
Are you ready to take charge of the aging process and change your entire mindset towards how you age? Are you seeking to make healthy but easily maintainable changes in your daily life that will improve your skin health, fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being? I encourage you to sign up for my 3-week Anti-Aging challenge where you will get the opportunity to experience all that I offer as a wellness coach for FREE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity spaces are limited and I will only be accepting 5 people to participate in this challenge. Follow the link and fill out the form before all the spaces are taken.