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Our eating habits as WAHM's affect our quality of life. Eat too many of the wrong
types of food and you are opening yourself up to many potential health related problems.
On the other hand, by eating the right kinds of food, you are helping yourself lead a
healthier and longer life. In fact, eating these "super foods" will help you to look and
feel younger too.
The golden rule of healthy foods is to eat raw, buy organic, and avoid processed.
Cooking destroys vitamins and nutrients in food, so eating foods raw, when possible,
is recommended.
Organic foods are generally agreed to be a healthier alternative because they are
free from chemicals and other contaminants.
Avoid packaged and commercially prepared foods as much as possible. Stay away
from sugar and refined carbohydrates. Dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt believes that
sugar breaks down elastin and collagen in the skin, causing premature aging. He thinks
you can turn back the clock by ten years and improve the texture, tone and radiance
of your skin, simply by reducing the amount of sugar that you eat. (Dr. Brandt counts
Madonna and Cher among his clients, so he definitely has some believers in his theory.)
A diet that is rich in fiber, whole grains and antioxidants will keep you looking and
feeling younger. Most of us know about fiber and whole grains, but what exactly are
antioxidants? Well, antioxidants are vitamins and nutrients. They are so highly
regarded because they are thought to protect against damage to the heart, arteries
and other tissues. Not only that, they are also capable of repairing damage that has
already occurred in cells.
Foods rich in antioxidants include most of the berry family with blueberries topping the
list. Kiwi has been recognized for its unusual combination of health promoting substances
as well. Apples, cherries and plums are almost as highly rated as berries, so be sure to
include them in your anti-aging diet.
All vegetables contain varying levels of antioxidants as well as lots of nutrients,
especially green leafy vegetables, with beans, artichokes and broccoli having high
levels.
The good news for snack lovers is that nuts are considered a healthy food. Pecans,
hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts are especially good for you because they contain
Omega 3 fats, which are great for the heart. For those who don't enjoy eating fish,
which are prized for their Omega 3 fats, nuts make a wonderful substitute. Nuts are
high in calories, so a little go a long way.
Even better news for snack lovers is that chocolate has made the list of "good for
you" foods. (I know you'd like that!) Dark chocolate in particular has healthy benefits
for us. Only eat a small amount of it though or the excess calories you consume may
outweigh the health benefits.
And to wash all this delicious food down, your best choices are water or green tea. Water
is the number one beverage choice. We need it to hydrate the skin and wash toxins from
our body. Not consuming enough water will lead to a tired, lethargic feeling and a less than glowing appearance. Drinking a cup or two a day of green tea daily is beneficial. Not only
will it burn extra calories, it's just plain good for you.
Make wise choices in your daily diet and you will be on the road to looking and feeling
younger before you know it. And of course as work at home mom's we want to teach our
children the right way to eat also, remember they learn from us. If they see you eating
good, healthy and nutritious foods it will be natural for them to want to follow us.
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