ABCDlady Magazine - for the American Born Confident Desi

Desi Diva

By Vidhya Ravi

ABCDLady's Guide to Beauty from the Inside Out

Beauty from the inside out is not a new idea! For centuries, South Asians have shared old wives tales about how what you eat affects how you look: Pregnant women are encouraged to drink almond milk to ensure the newborn baby will have fair skin; rubbing turmeric on your skin will keep acne at bay and eating garlic can ward off wrinkles.

Did you know eating well helps more than your waistline? Including certain foods in your diet can actually affect your skin, prevent wrinkles and renew your energy! But what foods do what? And what foods should you avoid? Let ABCDlady’s guide to beauty from the inside out help you plan your next visit to the grocery store.

Foods to INDULGE in…

Photo by Rodrigo Torres

Fruits - Eat fruits that are high in vitamin C. Why? Vitamin C does much more than fight off colds. It helps keep your capillaries strong, which means they won’t break or bruise easily. Broken capillaries show up as red lines and spottiness on your face, both of which you will want to avoid! Vitamin C also prevents age spots.

Try asparagus to prevent wrinkles.

Asparagus - This stalk is high in vitamin E, an absolute necessity for keeping your skin (and appearance) youthful. Vitamin E helps build strong muscles, and good muscle tone can help keep skin firm and prevent wrinkles. Vitamin E has healing properties, so any time you have a scratch or abrasion, make sure to eat a lot of vitamin E—it speeds up recovery by one or two days.

Nuts - Before you reach for a handful of almonds, beware. A serving is just 12 almonds, so eat these in moderation or you can really pack on the pounds! Most nuts contain vitamin B complex, which helps with hair growth, improves the appearance of dry skin and assists in skin-cell restoration.

Milk - Drinking a glass of milk a day does more than just maintain bone health! The vitamins B2 and B12 found in milk induce your body to make more red blood cells. More red blood cells means your body is well oxygenated, and that leaves your hair and skin looking healthier.

Foods to AVOID…

Coffee, tea and caffeinated soda - The caffeine found in these drinks may literally drain the liquid out of your cells. If you are prone to dry skin or chapped lips, avoid these foods to keep your skin looking beautiful.

Alcohol - Not only is alcohol drying, but as your skin dehydrates, fine lines and wrinkles become more apparent. Next time you’re out having a good time, pass on that extra drink and do your skin a favor!

Salt - Salt causes your body to retain water and plump up. As the swelling reduces, your skin starts to lose its natural elasticity. That means loose skin and more obvious cellulite and wrinkles.

Grandma knows best!

Remember your grandmother harping on eating certain foods because they are “good for you”? Well, years later, medical science is revealing granny may have known a thing or two when she told you what to eat!

Turmeric – This spice, hidden in most Indian dishes, has been used as an antiseptic and for improving complexions for generations, but research studies show that turmeric may have the potential to help with cancer, Alzheimer’s and even psoriasis.

Tamarind – Although frowned upon in ayurvedic medicine, tamarind does have some proven health benefits. It has been shown to be an effective digestive, as well as a treatment for sunstroke and alcohol poisoning. Tamarind is rich in phosphorus, calcium and niacin. Niacin is a plus for anyone expecting, but a little known secret is that tamarind is also used as a home remedy to cure morning sickness!

Ginger – Many of us have eaten ginger to alleviate nausea when driving on windy or high roads, but the benefits of ginger far surpass being a remedy for motion sickness. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

By knowing what foods to INDULGE in and what foods to AVOID, you can keep yourself looking svelte and glowing all summer long.

Vidhya Ravi is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. She has worked in the beauty industry for nearly five years and currently works in hair care marketing for Procter & Gamble. You can visit her blog at www.starterchef.blogspot.com.