Foods to eat to keep you looking (and feeling) younger

Aging is inevitable. And while we all yearn for the smooth skin, thick and shiny hair, and energy we once had, we often mistake youth for beauty. While you may have felt more beautiful in your youth, that doesn't mean you have lost it along the way. We are conditioned from a young age to believe that to look and feel healthy, and we need to invest money in lotions, creams, and products that can "reverse the signs of aging,” which is entirely untrue. Not only is age irreversible, but the secret to looking and feeling your best isn't in a fancy bottle or expensive tube. It's located right in your kitchen.

Food is used as a natural healer and health aid around the world and throughout history. Many modern medicines and ointments contain natural ingredients proven to be beneficial. Besides the increased data surrounding the benefits of certain foods and food groups, not much has changed regarding their versatility and uses. Due to this information, we now know that many foods are currently sitting in your pantry that can aid in the way you look and feel without the added chemicals and ingredients in topical creams and products that you often see advertised. 

The natural solution is right in front of you. 

Here are some foods that you may want to add to your snacks or meals to win the fight against aging:

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are a vital part of your diet; they are essential in absorbing vitamins and can aid in brain and heart health. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are essential, as they play a significant role in reducing inflammation in your joints, helping to bring that skip back into your step. You can learn more about good vs. bad fats here.

Matcha

Green tea is an ancient source of antioxidants and works as an anti-inflammatory aid. It comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, much like green tea, but is ground into a fine powder and added to tea, lattes, ice cream, and more. It’s proven to reduce your chance of developing cancer, promote heart health, and aid in weight loss. Matcha is also a great source of caffeine, so it can easily replace your morning coffee. Pro tip: If you don’t like the taste initially, try adding a little milk and honey, then slowly reduce the amount every day. Soon enough, you’ll be a regular matcha connoisseur!

Dark chocolate

What’s better than chocolate? Chocolate with health benefits! Dark chocolate not only tastes fantastic, but it is a source of iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, and more. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, dark chocolate may also aid in protecting your heart, reduce inflammation, and your risk of developing diabetes. Not only does this treat assist your internal health, but since it’s rich in calcium and collagen, it may have an impact on the health of your skin, as well!

Eggs

Eggs are a staple in most households and are super versatile, making them an easy choice for any meal. And while they taste good and provide protein, eggs also contain many vitamins and minerals that can aid in your body and brain health, such as your immune system, eye health, muscle growth, and more. Also, while they taste good on toast and ramen, did you know that you can also use eggs on your hair? Eggs contain many nutrients that can be beneficial to hair strength, length, and shine. You can mix them with other natural ingredients to create various hair masks to transform your mane into something magical. Check some of our favs out here.

Bananas

Bananas make a great breakfast or snack on the go. They are packed with vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and more, making them a great-tasting fruit that can aid cardiovascular and digestive health. In addition, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, bananas are NOT linked to weight gain (against popular belief) and “produce a lower glycemic index and a great feeling of satiety as the starch gets digested slowly.” So next time you reach for a snack, grab a banana, and you’ll feel full until dinner.

Salmon

Salmon is rich in high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These are all important in a healthy diet and can assist in bone health, healing, and maintaining muscle mass. In addition, salmon is also rich in vitamin B, which turns the food you eat into energy, creates and repairs DNA, and reduces inflammation. On top of these fantastic benefits, salmon also tastes great and can be cooked in various ways—or eaten raw, if you like sushi! We’ve got even more information on the benefits of salmon here.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are well known for their seeds and carve-ability at Halloween, but pumpkins are also full of impressive nutrients that can do wonders for your body. According to Women’s Health Magazine, pumpkins can support healthy blood pressure, promote a healthy liver, manage blood sugar levels, and boost your immune system. Not only that, but they make a great pie, and you can’t pass up the taste of a pumpkin spice latte!

While the effects of aging are inevitable, there are steps you can take to ensure your body is staying as healthy as possible, regardless of your age. The first step is to make sure you’re eating foods that make you look and feel like your best; while also doing the important work of preventing diseases, repairing damaged cells, and promoting heart health.

While we suggest you visit your physician for regular checkups, some tools can help you stay on track and measure your success. For example, the FitTrack Dara can measure 17 key health metrics such as your BMI, BMR, weight, and more. But our favorite feature is metabolic age. Why? Because Dara teaches us that age, like weight, isn’t always what it seems.

By factoring in your body structure, BMR, fat, and muscle mass, Dara analyzes how healthy your body is by informing you of your body’s age relative to your actual age. A lower metabolic age compared to your actual age indicates you’re keeping healthy AND winning the war against time!

Are you interested in learning more about the FitTrack Dara scale? Then we’ve got you covered!