What dietary change do you feel has had the most impact on your looks and health?

Question

I'm looking to make some major changes as I approach middle age, but there are so many different theories out there. What has worked best for you - eliminating meat? eliminating dairy? taking tons of supplements?

I don't think I have enough willpower to eat a totally clean diet, but I'd like to make some simple adjustments that have a big impact.

Answer 1

I have changed from drinking sodas to water. Water hydrated my skin making it look younger, filled me up when I thought I wanted to eat snacks, and just made me feel so much better. It really is a simple easy thing to do and makes you feel and look so much better. I was addicted to soda. So it was hard for me to drop them and just drink water. But drinking it has made my skin and face look so much younger.

Answer 2

Sensible diet and exercize - a lifestyle change is the only thing that works.

Eat smaller portions more frequently rather than a couple large meals. Just about anything is fine in moderation. However stick to the best food for you as much as possible. Eat more veggies and fruit. Eat leaner meat such as chicken and fish. Try as hard as you can to balance the food you do eat.
For example: Lean turkey burger with whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomatoe and ketchup. carrot sticks and lite ranch for dipping. Dove miniature dark chocolate (my favorite). Large glass of water or small glass of milk.
Opt for the lean turkey burger (frozen or fresh ground), and ketchup instead of mayo. Carrot sticks add a nice crunchy side item. And i am a dessert-a-holic, so to kill my craving i have the tiny piece of the most delicious chocolate out there. Also, dark chocolate has antioxidants... so it has benefits!
So... you have grains, calcium, protien, veggies, and a small amount of fats. All of which the food pyrmid suggests.

Limit eating out-unless you know the exact ingredients. You wouldn't believe what restaurants and fast food places put in food to make it taste good.

About suppliments, a multivitamin is good, however the horsepill size ones have more than you need in it. Usually they are a waste of money since any excess vitamins or minerals you intake will come out in your urine. Don't fall for the slim-fast shakes, etc. You will loose weight on them, but as soon as you start eating regular food again, you will gain it all back... sometimes more. Pretty much any "diet" that is a fad, doesn't hold a candle to old fashioned diet and exercise. Dont eliminate any thing that is well known to be good for you. There are fattening things out there that are high in the "good" fats, such as olive oil, avocado, etc. Just eat them in moderation. Your body needs good fats too, just very little.

Stay active. It will keep you socializing, happy, energized, and it'll keep your body moving. Join a local gym. Do a variety of things, not only is that great for your body by keeping it guessing, but it makes exercising more interesting, and not like a chore. Try things you never have - yoga, aerobics, swimming, walking/biking outside, adult team sports (volleyball, softball, etc. If there isn't one, start one.). Use any chance you get to burn more calories and make yourself stronger and more flexible. Take the stairs instead of an elevator, park at the end of the lot, while you sit at the desk do abdominal contractions, leg lifts, stretches, sit with good posture when you recognize it, take time to breath deep.

A healthy intake of calories, daily activity, and taking time to enjoy life and be happy is the most important to your looks, health, mind, body, spirit. When you are healthy and happy, is shines through you.

hope this helped

Answer 3

Eating more fruit is the best approach. Eliminating meat or dairy can have huge side effects if not done properly. If that is a choice you are considering I would start taking supplements.

Answer 4

I became vegetarian. I cut down on pasta, bread, sugar. I try to eat spelt bread, pasta... It makes a big difference. I do not eat dairy that much and if I do, I try to buy the organic. I just take vitamin b complex, Vitamin C during winter and enzymes which does wonders for me. The vegetarian diet definitely makes a great difference.

Answer 5

Eating what God put on this earth is what's best for you. Anything that's package, processed, or human-manipulated is bad. I've been stick to natural foods lately, and yeees there are some tasty natural foods out there! and there's def. a difference, my skin, hair, how I feel, staying health weight wise... it's hard don't get me wrong I'll splurge on some ben and jerry's or french fries and chicken tenders every once in a while but for the majority, natural foods has been me a lot of good

Answer 6

After fasting for the first time (14 days); drinking just water, green & herbal tea and vegetable juice, intestinal cleaning and qigong exercises i noticed and felt a big change. My skin became soft and rosy, my eyes were glowing and my tred became light and agile. Keeping up a healthy lifestyle, being relaxed and positive was (and still is) difficult in a metropolitan, hectic environment, but certainly contributes to looking good and being healthy.

Answer 7

The proliferation of information about nutrition, in general and about the dangers of obesity, in partricular have been the most obvious changes that have effected me.

I look at the 'Table of Contents' on food labels almost without fail and feel a tad guilty when I don't.

Answer 8

Give up as much caffeine as possible and drink as much water as you can, 6-8 glasses every day. Water helps keep your skin looking young and supple, and once the caffeine is out of your system (expect some terrible headaches) you won't look as tired. It's kind of ironic because people use caffeine to feel more alert but giving it up makes you look more alert.

Answer 9

Going organic. This gets rid of a lot of toxins in your diet that can lead to premature aging and a whole lot of other problems. Find a natural food store in your area, and do all your shopping there.

If you can't go organic, then at least switch to a whole-foods diet. This means cutting out all processed sugar, flour, etc, and sticking to whole grains, and fresh meats, dairy, fruits and veggies.

Answer 10

i stopped drinking soda, started eating, if possible,fresh and frozen foods, stay away from foods in cans or boxes, stay away from fast foods. plus taking supplements, try putting nothing in your mouth unless it has nutritional value. go to health food store and get some good supplements. remember your body is what you eat. fill it with crap and you will feel like crap. eat healthy and wise your body will feel great, and your mind will feel great.