“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself”- Coco Chanel
Flawless skin, lustrous hair, a perfect body that enhances the silhouette after wearing a sari or a lehenga, long painted nails- who doesn’t want it? Wedding season is around the corner and this wedding season is going to be different. We will be celebrating wedding locks amidst the pandemic. No matter what comes by, celebrations are never to be missed. Whether you are a bride or a groom or relatives of either of them, everyone wants to look flawless and at their best at the wedding. Sometimes, there is never enough.
In this article, I am going to touch on some key points about what we might consider this wedding season and how we can manage to look our best through nutrition.
1. Hair and Nails – Hair is the crown of our face. A lustrous, thick hair adds confidence and enhances beauty. There are many remedies depending on what one wants- whether it is to prevent hair fall or add luster or even retain that thickness. Hair nutrition has many aspects but I will try and outline some tips for you here.
Add 1 tablespoon flaxseed powder to a cup of milk before going to bed. Early morning, consume a glass of fresh aloe vera juice- Add 1 tablespoon aloe vera in 1 glass water, it not only prevents hair fall but it also helps in adding shine to your hair. If you are deficient or low on iron reserves either supplement with elemental iron or increase intake of vitamin c. Grab few sprigs of curry leaves and munch on some curry leaves and add them to chutney or your meals and drinks. Start consuming 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds every morning empty stomach. Do not forget to drink coconut water every morning with a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Once a week massage your scalp with the help of your fingertips. It increases blood circulation. Shoulder stand, cobra pose in yoga also helps.
2. Glutathione – Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants which is produced by the body. It has immense antiaging power; it builds our immunity and it boosts our strength. Glutathione production reduces with age. Sulphur helps in the production of glutathione like eggs, garlic, broccoli, mushroom, cabbage, cauliflower, green vegetables and fish. Our body makes glutathione in adequate exposure to the sun. Try and sit in the sun for 30 mins a day before 9 am and after 4 pm in the day. One must remember, not all glutathione from foods gets absorbed. if you want you can supplement with glutathione under consultation from a dermatologist.
3. Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits- guava, oranges, mandarins, kiwi fruits and chutneys made with all herbs add vitamin c to our diet. Vitamin C helps in building collagen and glutathione helps in the lightening of skin color.
Did you know excess sugar not only adds extra pounds but it reduces collagen in the body? Remove all fried foods and refined sugars. If you are consuming vitamin C and collagen powders, the first thing you need to do is remove sugar from your diet. You can substitute sugar with dates, raisin and natural fruits to get sweet cravings in the diet. Have a glass of strawberry juice for a quick result.
4. Hydration – Hydration is the key to weight loss and flawless skin. Our body is 70% water, even 1 % fluid loss can cause dehydration and make one look tired. If you are dehydrated more than 2% it is severe dehydration and you will experience headaches. Drink sips of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. Fresh vegetable juices mixed with cucumber, celery, beetroot, green apples, strawberries and ginger or 1 glass fresh strawberry with mint leaves juice works wonder for your skin. Swap milk tea with black or tulsi ginger tea, green tea or white tea, they work wonders for the skin.
5. Detox – When we fast, we repair our body, it is ok to fast once a week or 10 days in a month. Fasting practice heals our body and it reduces inflammation. Whether it a fruit fast or dry fast follow this practice as per your convenience. A typical fast day would incorporate plenty of herbal teas and water, fresh fruits and vegetables with no added salt.
6. Naturopathy– It goes without saying the benefits of turmeric and saffron and their benefits in enhancing beauty. I usually apply turmeric to my face 1-part turmeric mixed with 3 parts chickpea flour and 2 parts yogurt and leave it on my face for 15 minutes before I wash. Dry body brush is a great technique to reduce fluid retention. One can add 2-3 strands of saffron to a cup of cold milk and consume it before bed. If you can practice oil pulling every morning (adding 1 tablespoon coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth before brushing your teeth and swish your mouth for 5-10 minutes), spit the oil and then brush. Oil pulling helps in detoxing your body.
7. Gut Health- Improve your gut to have flawless skin and lose weight. Most vitamins and minerals get absorbed through the gut. Hence, it is essential to have your gut flora in balance. Swap tonic water, fizzy drinks or soda with a glass of kambucha, swap milk with buttermilk, kanji water. Consume plenty of fermented foods like yogurt, miso, dhokla, idli, khandvi, appam, dosa, at least incorporate one fermented food a day.
8. Exercise- We all have heard the benefit of exercise in weight loss. Whether it is a cardio or pranayama or chanting, exercise or movements for 45 minutes – 60 minutes helps in detox and adds glow to our face. Try facial yoga 15 minutes a day, I tried it and it works wonders for my skin. It tones my facial muscle. Long term research shows that fascial yoga prevents wrinkles and makes our skin look supple.
9.Chanting mantras reduces stress and helps to secrete happy hormones “serotonin” and with that beautiful arch smile, who doesn’t look beautiful? Chant and meditate at least 20 minutes a day – early morning or before going to bed. 9. Sleep- Have a sound sleep of 8 hours. Wedding preparations can be overwhelming. A good drink to sleep is- add 2-3 strands saffron, 1 pinch nutmeg powder, 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 cup double toned milk or homemade almond milk. Apply sesame oil or coconut oil to the sole of your feet before sleep or apply sandalwood paste to your forehead.
10. Self Affirmation: There are many ways to look flawless and the best way to feel good about oneself is to have self-affirmation, look at yourself in the mirror and say “You are beautiful”. Be body positive and carry that confidence. Accept who you are because you are beautiful.
Above mentioned guidelines will only help you enhance your outer beauty. You are beautiful!
This article is by
Public Health Nutritionist- Diabetes Educator- Sports Dietitian and Accredited Dietitian, Australia.
http://swatibathwal.com/
