You Are What You Eat

_Bee_ · Fashionista Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 72 Smiles: +3 418

yes an over used saying, but it's true. I've been really interested in what different foods can do for your body and your wellbeing, here's what i've gotten so far.

Top 5 Foods for Healthy Skin
Green Tea - Green tea is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes. It has been proven to reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light, which in turn reduces the risk of skin cancer. Green tea is also high in polyphenols -- compounds that eliminate cancer-causing free radicals.

Salmon-Salmon -- along with other fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed -- is high in healthy fatty acids that are key for achieving healthy skin. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s help keep cell membranes healthy by keeping out harmful substances as well as allowing nutrients to enter cells and exit with waste products. Omega-3s also reduce the body's production of inflammatory agents that can damage the skin.

Blueberries-Blueberries are considered by many experts to be the highest food source of antioxidants, which target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells. The antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant sources of nutrition) in blueberries neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals, reducing cell damage. When skin cells are protected from damage and disintegration, the skin looks younger for longer. Blueberries are also an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E and riboflavin.

Carrots -Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is a required nutrient for healthy skin. They also contain high levels of antioxidants, which prevent free radical damage of skin cells. Vitamin A is required for developing and maintaining skin cells, and a deficiency of the vitamin can cause dry skin. Carrots are also a superior source of fiber, biotin, vitamins K, C and B6, potassium and thiamine.

Water-Drinking plenty of water -- at least your individual minimum intake -- will help keep your skin young and healthy-looking. Water in caffeinated or sugary beverages does not count; water intake must be from pure, clean water, which rejuvenates skin cells. Water both hydrates cells and helps them move toxins out and nutrients in. Nutrition expert Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, says when the body is properly hydrated, it sweats more efficiently, which helps keep the skin clean and clear.

http://www.newstarget.com/020409.html

5 Most Damaging foods
Sweet carbonated soft drinks. In fact, they are designed to cause thirst instead of quenching it. All of them have huge sugar content; a glass of cola contains an equivalent of five tablespoons of sugar.

Potato chips are sheer poison, especially those made of potato puree. The chips are basically a mixture of carbohydrates and fat with some artificial food additives thrown in to enhance flavor.

Sweet candy bars. A high content of sugar combined with various food additives makes this high-calorie food pretty addictive.

Frankfurters, kielbasa, mortadella, pates and other foodstuffs containing the so-called hidden fat. The foods are disguised as meat yet they are actually made of lard, internal fat and pork skin up to 40% by the weight. A variety of food additives helps do the trick.

Meats with high fat content, especially when fried.

http://www.emaxhealth.com/14/8647.html

antioxidants can help prevent heart disease and cancer, reduce blood pressure and slow the effects of aging. These naturally occurring compounds protect the body from harmful, excess free radicals, sweeping them up before they can cause damage

The Top 10 Antioxidant Foods

BERRIES

Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries contain ellagic acid, a plant compound that combats carcinogens. Blueberries also appear to delay the onset of age-related loss of cognitive function

BROCCOLI

cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, can help prevent cancer and ward off heart disease

TOMATOES

they can ward off certain kinds of cancer, prevent macular degeneration and cataracts, and help maintain mental function

RED GRAPES

These potent antioxidants boost heart health by acting as free-radical scavengers, reducing platelet aggregation and helping blood vessels remain open and flexible

GARLIC

lowering cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, fighting free radicals and keeping blood from clotting. Other studies suggest that eating garlic regularly can help prevent cancer. It also has potent anti-fungal properties and can help treat asthma and yeast infections.

SPINACH

it can help protect your vision. Studies have shown that people who eat spinach are less likely to develop cataracts and macular degeneration, the two most common causes of vision loss. Lutein appears to work by shielding the retina from sun damage and fighting free radicals that can harm the eyes. Some preliminary studies have suggested that lutein can also help prevent heart disease.

TEA

Tea has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. It was originally thought that green tea had more antioxidants than black tea, but recent studies suggest that they are equally beneficial

CARROTS

Carrots are loaded with a potent antioxidant called beta-carotene, a member of the healing family of carotenoids. Also found in beets, sweet potatoes and other yellow-orange vegetables, beta-carotene provides protection against: cancer, especially lung, bladder, breast, esophageal and stomach cancers; heart disease, and the progression of arthritis by as much as 70 percent

SOY

soy can help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, ward off osteoporosis and lessen the effects of menopause

WHOLE GRAINS

Your morning bowl of cereal may be a more potent source of phytochemicals than you think -- as long as it's whole-grain variety. Vitamin E in grains is a potent antioxidant that plays a role in preventing cancer, especially prostate cancer. Other studies have found that it can boost immunity, slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, treat and possibly prevent arthritis, prevent sunburn and treat male infertility. Grains are also rich in phytic acid, known as IP-6, a potent antioxidant that can help protect against breast, colon and liver cancers.

http://www.crumcreek.com/library/antioxidant.html

Yes yes it's a lot of information, but if you're interested in a healthy life then what you eat has a HUGE impact on that. This is only a very small amount of information there's a lot more out there and what you eat can greatly affect your mood, condition of your skin, hair, nails, your internal health, your mental well being, ability to pay attention, energy levels...and the list goes on and on, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
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china.doll · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

Wow thanks for all the info. Great those are like my favourite foods =)
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miss_kiss · Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 2 Smiles: 0 0

I dont necissarily agree. yes if you eat junk food and you're over weight that might be why. but honestly i dont eat all that healthy, i'd say i only have one nutritional meal a day, and the rest is cookies, and whatever else i can find. I'm not at all overweight, or unhealthy. I am a long distance runner, therefore i have to make sure that i have enough energyand am well enough nutritioned. I'm not saying that its bad to be healthy, because i know for a fact that i want to eat more healthy. but what you eat is not necissarily what you are.

lalalayna · Fashionista Joined: 04 Mar 2007 Posts: 57 Smiles: 0 0

thanks for the info.. haha ive been eating too much of the bad foods.

st3ph · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

In the springtime when sports start up again, and I'm active and drinking lots of water I always feel so good and happy. I eat some of those bad foods but I also eat a lot of the good foods too.

This year I want to try and eat healthier.

What are some of the foods that help you pay attention more?
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pink · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject:

thanks for posting
too bad ima picky eater :evil:
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duckprincezz · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

*le gasp* I LURV blueberries! I once ate a hugely massive box in one hour cause they were sooo good...I also love broccoli (my fav veggie), red grapes, salmon (I was once forced to eat 3 big pieces because the power was out and we had a camp stove), and tea
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Meg-san · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

Awesome! I eat broccoli daily.

pink · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

tropical_pink · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks!