Boost your mind and body with what you put in your mouth.
The cooler weather can see us reaching for comfort food, which can lower motivation, zap your mood and add years to your skin.
The change of season and lack of sunlight exposure can make biochemical changes in the body, leading to a change in food cravings, explains Eliza Blackwood, naturopath and nutritionist at Sydney’s CBD Natural Health.
“The balance of life revolves around cycles, the moon, the sun and the seasons and we are creatures of earth, so it would make sense to me that there are perhaps, deeper, biological reasons for seasonal food cravings.”
With spring around the corner, it’s time to nix this cycle of bad food. In doing so, you’ll not only boost your health and vitality, you’ll give your skin, hair and eyes a beautifying kick, too!
By eating raw, enzyme-filled, fresh fruits and vegies you’ll enliven your body and enrich your life. “Especially, increase green leafy vegies such as kale, spinach, broccoli and herbs for an added cleansing effect,” Blackwood suggests.
Beauty-wise, fruits and vegies are rich in a cocktail of antioxidants that nourish and protect the skin and eyes, so there’s a definite link between what you eat and how you look. Some good elements to have in your spring diet can be used in topical products too, so you are managing internal and external beauty. Here’s what to stock up on in the pantry and the beauty cabinet:
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
EFAs are essential to every living cell and have been proven to help increase energy levels, deepen sleep, improve a sense of physical and psychological wellbeing, enhance relaxation and improve your ability to deal with stress.
To get your daily dose, you can either supplement with fish oil capsules or increase your consumption of fish, nuts, and seed, avocado and flaxseed oil.
Selenium
Selenium helps the body lower anxiety levels and is a super source of antioxidants. Stock up on barley, wholegrain bread, mushrooms, chicken, tuna, garlic, tomatoes and Brazil nuts.
Vitamin B1
Deficiency in Vitamin B1 has been linked to poor moods, so supplementing your diet with a Vitamin B product may bring the boost in mood you’ve been waiting for. Brewer’s yeast, liver, mackerel, kidneys, beef, nuts and miso are also great sources of B1.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C
These are both antioxidants known to protect the skin and help with collagen production. Internally, their antioxidant action is vast. “Vitamin E is also specific to hormonal balance and Vitamin C is needed for a healthy immune system,” adds Blackwood.
Emma Bangay
