Remember: you are what you eat
DITCH the foods that are ageing you inside and out. Our sister publication, No 1 Magazine, speaks to superfood specialist Rick Hay about how we can look more youthful and feel better.
Think fresh
AN anti-ageing diet doesn’t have to be hard but the foods you eat should be natural and fresh – processed foods full of sugar, sweeteners, colours, preservatives and artificial flavours should be avoided. Make sure you eat nutrient-dense foods every day. Colourful foods contain pigments which are rich in antioxidants, helping to boost immunity.
Best way to start the day
AT breakfast, take a colourful smoothie, or ‘superfood’ in a bowl. These options help with weight management, too. Being overweight speeds up the ageing process. So ditch the bread, cereals and yoghurts in favour of a natural start to the day.
Snack attack
SNACK on foods which are rich in fibre. If your digestive tract isn’t functioning properly, your body will struggle to eliminate waste products. These can build up and make it harder for the body to detox and cleanse.
Midday boost
SANDWICHES, pastas, white rice dishes, chips, fried foods and unhealthy takeaways have got to go. It’s all about fibre, which helps keep blood sugar levels steady, fuelling the body with foods that will give you energy. Vitamins and minerals will keep your skin and hair healthy and glowing, and promote lean muscle function. A quinoa, chickpea and spinach-based dish makes a great lunch that will keep your energy levels high all afternoon.
Make your main meal count
EXCESSIVE meat and dairy consumption leads to poor digestive outcomes. Our bodies weren’t equipped to deal with the amount of meat we now eat. This is leading to many problems with cardiovascular and colon health. Research shows that vegetable-based diets are the healthiest. You should have a vegetarian meal at least a few times a week if you really want to help slow down the ageing process. So get rid of too much meat at dinner time. Also, be adventurous and try food from other cultures to enjoy a wider array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Rick Hay is nutritional director at Healthista and author of The Anti-ageing Food And Fitness Plan.