Bridal Beauty Diet: An expert guide on what foods to eat and avoid for glowing skin and healthy hair

 

Your big day is around the corner and if you are wondering what you need to do to get a glowing skin and better hair, then we’ve got you covered! Our hair and skin are representations of our overall health. Healthier and fitter people usually have healthier skin and hair too. While it’s common for brides to diet before the big day, the diet can also harm your skin and health. Most extreme diets ignore the core aspects of better health which directly translates to the way you look on your D-Day. Also, hormonal lifestyle challenges like PCOS and thyroid can get in the way too. To achieve a radiant glowing clear skin and healthy hair, one must remember that it starts from within and one has to maintain a good lifestyle to achieve it.

Do you know that our skin regenerates every 28 days? How it looks and feels depends on what we feed or nourish it with. We chatted with Simrun Chopra, Lifestyle and Transformation Coach who talked about the foods to avoid and to add in a daily routine. Here’s a look at top foods one must reduce or remove from the diet:

Foods high in sugar: Food high in free sugars acne and breakouts when over consumed. These products are usually accompanied by refined carbohydrates and fats, which can deteriorate the skin health. One should also avoid bakery products like doughnuts, puffs, biscuits or the more commonly eaten cookies and cakes. Moderating these foods to provide your skin with the break it needs.


Extremely oily or high-fat food: Naturally occurring fats in nuts, fruits, dairy etc are great for our health, skin and hair and provide us with the nourishment we need. However, foods made with refined oil can have the opposite effect. Deep-fried food and extremely oily foods are the most common skin aggravators and can also make the scalp extra greasy. Try limiting foods with excess fat to once a week and eliminate as you approach your big day.

Don’t experiment with supplements: “No one juice, drink or supplement will help to achieve good skin and hair, says Simrun. Avoid trying supplements or new products before your big day as it can lead to an allergic reaction and breakout, which can take time to heal.

Once you remove the things that aggravate skin conditions, one needs to add healthy and nutritious foods that will help rejuvenate and repair. Here’s a list of food, a bride-to-be must add to her daily routine at least one to three months before the wedding day.


Fresh fruits & vegetables: If you are looking for a superfood mix to add for healthy skin and hair, it is fruits and vegetables. Nature has packaged these multivitamins in the right dosage for us to be able to digest and absorb. Unlike synthetic supplements the nutrients in natural food always better for absorption. One should try to include all the seasonal vegetables. Focus on locally available produce and aim for at least 2 portions for fruits and 2 portions of vegetables a day to see significant changes. “My secret tip: start including dark leafy greens at least 4 times a week,” says Simrun.

Spices: Traditional spices are loaded with anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Simrun suggests drinking a warm glass of water with spices like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric mixed with pepper, which can help to reduce inflammation.


Proteins: With all the noise about collagen and biotin for hair and skin, no one stops to explain the role of protein. When you eat, digest and absorb sufficient protein the body will create the rest. Proteins are the building blocks of life required for cell regeneration and repair. Ensure you add protein to all your meals be it lentils, legumes, dairy, soya, meat or the humble curd.

Probiotics
: Our health is directly related to our gut health. Many skin conditions are related to an unhealthy gut. Add probiotics like curd in your daily diet, which can improve gut health.

Apart from the above, one must ensure to get at least 6 to 8 hours of good quality sleep. It can help to prevent dark circles and make your skin look fresh. Also, daily exercising can also boost your skin health. “When you exercise the body burns fat and uses the nourishment ( food ) it receives to get stronger and fitter,” explains Simrun. A good workout will help to clean out those pores and provide adequate blood flow to the face.

“We are what we eat. It is time to eat, move and live better and look radiant not only on your D-Day but forevermore,” she concludes.