Healthy Foods from Head to Toe
By Sara Butler
There are a lot of motivations out there for sticking to a healthy diet. After all, your diet can help prevent disease, extend your life, and even protect your heart. But one thing people don’t always remember about food is how it can transform your whole body. It’s not just about being at a healthy weight, it’s also about how food impacts the cells that make up your skin, your hair, your nails, and your joints. In that way, you very literally are what you eat. Here are some nutrients that help keep you healthy from the top of your head to the tips your toes.
Hair
Did you know that your hair grows almost half a millimeter per day? If you want to grow a long and luxurious mane, then you should think of adding more beans and lean meat to your diet. These foods provide zinc to help balance hormones and prevent the loss of hair. You should also add some leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, and peas to your diet for a dose of Vitamin B, a vitamin that supports healthy hair growth.
Eyes
Keep those peepers peppy with good nutrition! Carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein, which are found in kale, collard greens, and spinach, help to protect your eyes from macular degeneration. These antioxidants also help keep your brain, and therefore your vision, sharp.
Bones and Teeth
It’s no secret that calcium is the cornerstone of bone health. The real question is: are you getting enough? The average adult needs 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. You can easily get this in your diet through calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, soybeans, almonds, and spinach. But don’t forget that calcium isn’t the Lone Ranger – it needs to be paired with Vitamin D in order for your body to absorb it properly. Fish and eggs are great sources of Vitamin D.
Your Joints
If you’re looking to keep your joints healthy, then you need Vitamin C and gelatin in your diet! These nutrients help to support healthy collagen production, the material your joints need in order to stay healthy and keep tissue strong. Gelatin can be found as a supplement or you can add some Jell-O to your daily diet, but don’t forget the Vitamin C. Include berries, cauliflower, green peppers, and pineapple in your diet to give you a boost!
Don't forget that you are what you eat! So eat to create a body that is healthy and happy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.
