We all eat well to provide the proper nutrients our body needs to function properly and exercise in order to provide oxygen to our tissues and increase our lean muscle mass right?? Not exactly. Vanity is unfortunately more of a motivating factor to people than achieving health. Most people eat well and exercise in order to lose weight and look better, not feel better. But even if health isn't the main goal of eating well and exercising, you should realize that looking good is a great side effect of being healthy!! A new study published in the Journal of Evolution and Human Behavior found that eating fruits, leafy greens and other vegetables gave people a healthy glow, better than suntan, due to the carotenoids present in the food. Scientists asked study participants to look at 51 different Caucasian faces and adjust the skin tones to the hues ranging from those typical of a day in the sun to the glow from a carotenoid-rich diet. "We found that, given the choice between skin color caused by suntan and skin color caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin color," Dr. Ian Stephen, the study's lead researcher, now of the School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus. So even if you don't eat well to build a stronger-immune system, take in cancer-fighting antioxidants and heart-healthy fiber, and allow your body to function at 100%, then maybe looking healthier is a good motivating factor to get you started on the road to achieving health.
From left: suntanned, neutral, with carotenoid coloring
According to the new study, the students found yellower faces more attractive and healthy looking. Want the glow? Try upping your intake of carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, cantaloupe, spinach and kale.
The latest weight loss fad isn't going to make you look healthy nor will it achieve lasting results. Diet pills and calorie restrictive diets are unhealthy and don't work long term. In order to look your best, eating well and exercising regularly need to be a lifestyle change. Remember 3 easy rules to follow in regards to food, increase the amount of good fats in your diet while decreasing the bad fats, make sure the protein in your diet comes from grass fed/organic sources, and cut out the sugar by incorporating whole grains and reducing the amount of processed, refined foods. Here's the link to a great book which can guide you through these 3 rules:
Nutrition Book
