Munch Your Way To Skinny

Remember the days when your metabolism was like a caffeinated mouse in a wheel? Yeah, me neither. If you aren’t one of those lucky gals who can eat whatever she wants and burn it off thanks to an annoyingly fast metabolism, look to these helpful foods to boost your metabolism.

Grapefruit

This diet super fruit (above) lowers the insulin levels in your body that trigger your system to store fat. Plus, it is rich in fiber, and your body must burn extra calories in order to break it down.

Green Tea

Green tea is the main source of epigallocatechin gallate, known better as EGCG. This healthy catechin speeds up your brain and nervous system, causing your body to burn more calories.

Yogurt

The high levels of protein present in natural yogurt require a lot of energy to be processed. Plus, the pro-biotic cultures found in yogurt help regulate your digestive tract.

Almonds

Almonds’ essential fatty acids help raise your body’s metabolism. Just don’t overdo it because they’re also very high in calories.

Coffee

Coffee has caffeine, which does give you a boost. Just ensure that you don’t exceed 2 or 3 cups a day, or you risk a host of side effects, including irritability and jitters.

Turkey

This protein-rich meat builds lean muscle tissue, which causes your body to burn extra calories and raises your metabolism.

Apples

Like grapefruit, this low-calorie snack is high in fiber, which your body must burn calories to break down. Plus, since apples help you stay full for longer, you’ll eat less.

Spinach

Popeye was right about one thing: spinach can help make you strong and healthy. In addition to speeding up your metabolism, it’s a great source of antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, iron and vitamin C.

Beans

Low in fat and packed with protein, beans keep you full for long durations, and your body must burn extra calories in order to process this fiber-rich food.

Jalapenos

The capcaisin found in jalapenos causes your body to burn extra calories for hours after you ingest them, speeding up both your heart rate and metabolism.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains a highly effective metabolism-boosting team of nutrients: calcium and vitamin C. Calcium acts as a metabolic trigger, while vitamin C helps your body absorb more calcium.

Oatmeal

Because your body takes a long time to break down the fat-soluble fiber in oatmeal, this healthy food lowers your body’s insulin level and speeds up your metabolism as a result.

Soy Milk

Fortified soy milk is loaded with calcium, which helps boost your metabolism. Just stay away from the sweetened varieties.

Curry

Like jalapenos, curry increases the amount of calories your body burns and speeds up your metabolism.

Cinnamon

A little bit of cinnamon can go a long way. Add some zing to your daily cup of tea with this tasty spice to help your body metabolize sugars more effectively and maintain steadier blood sugar levels. Cinnamon can also help lower your cholesterol.

Hair Dietetics

Your body thrives on the right blend of nutrients, and your hair is no different. To get the best vitamins and minerals for healthy hair, choose foods packed with these nutrients.

Protein

More than 90 percent of your hair is made up of protein, so you need to have enough protein in your diet to support hair growth. Fortunately, most people get plenty of protein naturally from their diet. Foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products are high in protein. Vegetarians can get protein from plant sources such as soybeans, seeds, and nuts.

Beta-carotene

This antioxidant can help your body synthesize protein, may encourage hair growth, and may help prevent hair loss. Look for it in lots of fruits and vegetables, especially orange ones.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A fosters scalp health. Many orange fruits and vegetables — cantaloupe, apricots, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots — are good sources of vitamin A, as is broccoli.

The B Vitamins

The nutrients in this family of vitamins, often called B-complex vitamins, may help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss and breakage. Vitamin B3 (niacin) may nourish hair follicles, while vitamins B5, B6, and B12 may prevent both hair loss and premature graying. B vitamins can be found in poultry, beef, fish, eggs, whole grains, beans, sunflower seeds, peas, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and fortified breads and cereals.

Biotin

A biotin deficiency can leave your scalp itchy and scaly. To help keep your scalp healthy, choose biotin-rich meats, fish, eggs, dairy foods, nuts, whole grains, and molasses.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. It also helps keep your blood vessels healthy, helps prevent hair breakage, and promotes hair growth. All the citrus fruits — grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines, and so on — are high in vitamin C, as are berries and melons.

Vitamin E

This antioxidant vitamin helps your cells repair themselves and facilitates your body's synthesis of protein; it also encourages hair growth and aids in circulation. It is plentiful in green vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, beans, nuts, and avocados.

Vitamin K

This vitamin can promote hair health. You'll find it in seafood, eggs, liver, dairy products, green vegetables, figs, cabbage, oatmeal, yogurt, and wheat.

Para-aminobenzoic acid

This nutrient might help stave off grey hair. Look for it in yogurt, whole grains, and some organ meats (like liver).

Minerals

A range of minerals, including trace minerals, can help promote hair growth and protect against hair breakage. Key among them are silica, calcium, iron, copper, and zinc. These minerals are found in a broad range of unprocessed foods, including meats, seafood, nuts, seeds, liver, eggs, rice, oats, whole-grain cereals, sunflower seeds, lettuce, onion, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, bean sprouts, leafy green vegetables, strawberries, dates, and raisins. Organic foods frequently have higher concentrations of trace minerals than conventionally grown foods.

Enjoy A Variety

For the broadest range of the best vitamins and minerals for hair health, eat a variety of nutritious foods. That way, you'll get the benefit of the micronutrients that are found in trace amounts. If you feel your diet may be lacking in any vitamins or minerals, talk to your doctor to see whether he or she recommends a daily multivitamin.

Wish you all great hair days!!

Skin Metamorphosis: Peels & Post Care

Chemical peels help rejuvenate the skin via a chemical solution that sloughs off the damaged, outermost layer of the skin, which allows smoother, more evenly pigmented skin to surface, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. The mildest type of chemical peels generally contain alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs. A medium-depth peel consists of trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, while a deep peel uses the strongest chemical solution, known as phenol. Aftercare will vary depending on the strength of your chemical peel.

Hand's Off  Policy

Mild or light chemical peels can cause reddening and peeling of skin in the days following the treatment, while deeper peels can cause blistering, scabbing and peeling that persists for up to two weeks. Strong peels may also cause swelling of the skin.

Even though skin may itch or burn early in recovery, it's important to resist the urge to rub or scratch the affected skin. Picking, patting, wiping or otherwise touching the treated area may lessen the results of the peel and increase the risk of infection. A cold compress may help relieve any post-peel discomfort. Your doctor may also prescribe oral steroids following medium and deep peels.

Moisturize

It's important to keep your face moisturized after a chemical peel since dry skin is more vulnerable to cracks and possible scarring. Make sure to apply cream or lotion diligently & multiple times in the days and weeks following a peel until your skin has completely healed. Your dermatologist may also recommend or prescribe soothing ointments if your skin is very sensitive.

Sun Protect

Shielding your skin from the sun is critical following all types and strengths of chemical peels, cautions the ASPS. It's best to avoid the sun completely in the first seven to 14 days after a peel unless you are wearing sunscreen. Unprotected skin is at risk of developing blotchy patches or irregular skin coloring following a peel.

Once your skin has healed, continue to wear sunscreen in order to minimize the formation of new lines and wrinkles. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher with UVA & B filters. Remember to apply sunscreens 20 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors.