Creams, lotions and treatments are not the only thing that can fight aging. Simple foods from the supermarket will really help you look younger. Foods such as spinach, chocolate (yes!) and beans all have hidden secrets which aid your body fight the effects of aging.
1 - Spinach
Spinach contains an antioxidant named Lutein which helps fight wrinkles and lines by increasing skin elasticity and hydration. Start adding dark leafy vegetable to your meals like spinach, kale and cabbage and you will start seeing the effects on your skin in a few weeks. It might also be mentioned that spinach is very high in all sort of vitamins that are good for your overall health.
2 - Goji Berries
Goji Berries are super nutritious and have very strong anti-aging powers. Vitamin C is responsible for helping make collagen and collagen keeps skin firm. Goji Berries have 500 times more Vitamin C than Oranges. They also contain a fat (linoleic acid) that promotes plumper skin. Sprinkle some goji berries over your cereal, mix it into your muesli mix, or add some to your smoothie.
3 - Turkey
Turkey has a protein named carnosine which helps slow down the process of cross linking ( cross linking involves fibers that grow in collagen causing the skin to become inelastic and stiff) in your skin. try to eat turkey at lest 2 or 3 times a week.
4 - Chocolate
Some great news for chocolate lovers! studies in Germany have found that drinking cocoa rich drinks boosts blood flow to the skin (meaning more moisture and nutrients for the skin). This is only for dark chocolate as it is the only type that contains enough antioxidants.
5 - Prunes
Free radicals break down healthy skin tissue and is one of the largest causes of skin aging. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they do more damage. Prunes have the highest levels of antioxidants (blueberries come close). Try to eat about 5 prunes a day.
6 - Beans
Beans (kidney, butter or baked) help produce an anti-aging acid in your body named hyaluronic acid. When we are babies our skin is overflowing with this and it is what helps to make our skin look so smooth and plump, this decreases with age and eating beans can help restore it. Try eating about 2 tablespoons of beans daily.
7 - Beetroot
Beetroot contains a great source of anthocyanadins (antioxidant), this promotes collagen production. Beetroot is excellent in salads and hamburgers.
8 - Olives
Olives and olive oil contain oleic acid which is a great emollient for the skin. Oleic acidhelp make wrinkles and fine lines soften by penetrating skin cell membranes and plumping them up.
9 - Red Peppers
Red Peppers are super rich in Vitamin B-12, this vitamin helps fight wrinkles and fine lines!
10 - Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a major source of healthy Omega-3 fat. This fat disguises wrinkles and lines by plumping up your skin. Try to have a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily. (You can be this over the net or in health food stores)
Now How Do I Know Which Foods to Eat?
First of all, I will say that the above list is great, but if you eat those foods raw you are really going to increase your energy levels by 200%!
It's not so hard to figure out which foods you need to start eating, but I have found it's handy to have a guide to take with you to the market.
The best book I have found on re-engineering your diet for maximum energy is Eating for Energy by Yuri Elkaim.
I know what you are thinking: "Oh great! ANOTHER diet e-book". Well, sure, there are a lot 
and I was also skeptical.
I did some 'digging' about the author and found out Yuri is actually the nutrition coach at the University of Toronto (for the Men's Soccer Team). He also actively participates on Twitter and has over 3000 followers. I already got some good health tips for free from his tweets! Since then, I've also seen his name in Fitness mag as a contributor.
Anyway, my point is, he's not a fly-by-nigher! This is a real guy, who has put his reputation on the line with this book. So that made me feel pretty safe with buying it.
So I did.
When I got it, I dived in and started reading. What struck me was:
- It's well organised and easy to read
- He explains which fats are actually GOOD for you to eat.
- He explains why counting calories doesn't work - hallejujah! I hate counting every last calorie, every darn day!
- He has 12 top superfoods (2 more than I do!!)
- He goes through, in great detail, exactly how to optimise your energy. What was great for me, was that I was able cut out foods that weren't energy efficient, and replace them with more of the ones that agreed with my metabolism.
- He gives you a 12 week eating plan - this really helped me get used to the changes. When you introduce it over time like that, it's easier to form a habit.
So that's it from me: Yuri's page on the book has a LOT more info. PLUS you can get a 6-part course called Energy Secrets for free. This is all about how to get more energy and losing weight - something we all need!
This course is totally free, and a great way to see if you like what Yuri has to say. All you need to give is your email address.
US $32.79
