For millions, tuning into the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards is as much about seeing what the celebrities are wearing as it is about who wins. Stars who walk the red carpet know this full well, and many go to great lengths to be sure they turn up looking their absolute best. Of course it helps to have an exquisite gown, a team of make-up artists and hair stylists for flawless makeup and perfect hair. But radiant beauty is more than all that. Diet definitely plays a hand – affecting everything from the quality of your skin, nails and hair, energy-level, body shape and weight. Food is a powerful beautifier to be sure, and here are some of the time-tested tips I pass along to my celebrity clients:
Eat more fiber – the ‘miracle carb’ for beauty and weight
For a clearer more radiant complexion, incorporate more fiber-rich foods into your diet. Do this by eating carbs that are high in fiber, such as vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber cereal, which fill you up without filling you out. Fiber works as natures detox removing toxins from the body that could show up as blemishes on the skin. That’s not all: since fiber has zero calories you can eat more of foods that are high in fiber – and fiber foods take longer to digest, so you actually feel full longer.
Eat plenty of lean protein
For keeping your skin soft and young as almost any celebrity walking the red carpet start focusing on lean proteins- about 80 percent of our skin is made of collagen, which is protein, and Keratin protein is what helps keep hair and nails strong and moisturized. The protein in food breaks down into the amino acids that helps cells renew and repair. Rule of thumb: get about 20 percent of your daily calories from lean protein, from sources such as lean chicken or turkey.
Sip green tea
Antioxidants have been making their appearance on A-list diets for a long time, and here is no exception! One cup of green tea contains more antioxidants than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. These antioxidants reduce the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause damage to the skin cells and other cells in the body. A study in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that consuming 2-6 cups of green tea daily may help prevent skin cancer and reverse the effects of sun damage.
Have Fish for anti-aging
The Omega 3 fatty acids found in cold water fish like salmon are great for your heart health, and they benefit your skin, too. Omega 3s reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation, which in turn gives skin a youthful healthy glow while helping to prevent wrinkles. The Omega 3’s in salmon and other cold water fish also help maintain the natural oil prevents drying of the scalp and hair.
Detox with water
Staying well-hydrated with water not only helps flush away toxins-it also helps keep your hair shiny and strong, your polished nails staying chip-free for longer, and your skin plump and dewy. Aim to drink 8 8-oz glasses of water a day and you will be ready for pictures and close-ups.
For more tips, delicious high fiber meal plans, recipes, and proven ways to lose weight and look great, check out my new book The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber!
Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City and author of the Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with fiber as well as the bestselling Follow Tanya on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and visit her website Ffactor.com.
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