As we age, it can become more difficult to keep our hair, skin, and nails hydrated, strong, and radiant. Considering how beauty starts from within and what you eat and drink has everything to do with how you look and feel, it’s more important than ever to get a grasp on the worst and best foods to add to your diet if you’re searching for ways to ward off the signs of aging. This is the one food that experts agree you should cut out immediately for aging hair, skin, and nails.
Sugary Processed Foods
“The one food I would recommend cutting out if you have aging hair, skin, nails is highly processed foods that often contain a lot of added sugar in them,” says Dana Ellis Hunnes PhD, MPH, RD, a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center and author of Recipe For Survival. “This can be pastries, white bread, food bars, sodas. Sodas are probably the worst offender because it is a processed food with no nutritional benefit.”
According to Charles Erasmus, founder of health, nutrition, and wellness website GreenMindWarrior, foods with a high glycemic count fall into this category and should be avoided.
“The Glycemic Index Foundation (GIF) classify the GI of foods as either low, medium, or high: low GI is 55 or less, medium GI is 56–69, high GI is 70 or greater,” Erasmus says. “Research asserts that diets with a high glycemic index (GI) may contribute to the development of acne. Foods with a high GI raise blood sugar — and therefore insulin levels — faster than foods with a lower GI. Eating a diet with a high GI causes the body to create higher levels of insulin. When the body is operating on excess insulin, it stimulates the production of androgen hormones and sebum in the skin, which can lead to acne.”
Oatmeal
If you want to stay fuller longer, get a solid serving of B vitamins and fiber, keep your heart healthy, and promote weight loss, few breakfast foods are better than good old oatmeal. This versatile pantry staple isn't only a delicious vehicle for so many different flavors, from sweet to savory, but it's also incredibly healthy, especially if you're trying to lose weight.
"Oats are full of B vitamins and fiber. Fiber contributes to satiety, but bonus, the fiber in oats also contributes to heart health," Susie explains. That means while the oats are working to keep you full, prevent overeating, and energize your body so it can burn more fat, they're also keeping your heart in great shape!
Susie's advice for a delicious, nutritious breakfast with oatmeal? Add peanut butter! "I like stirring in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter (healthy fat) into my oatmeal to keep me full and energized till lunch," she says. Yum!
The Bottom Line
While you may feel inclined to skip out on breakfast in order to lose weight, starting your day with a healthy, filling meal can be a great way to stay energized, boost your metabolism, and prevent overeating. All of this will bring you closer to your weight loss goals. "When you don't feel deprived or starving, you tend to be in more control of food choices and portion sizes," Susie says. So, next time you wake up unsure of what to eat for breakfast, take Susie's advice and opt for a delicious bowl of oatmeal, a plate of eggs, or both!
