How fast you age as a person gets to be determined largely by genetics, but what you choose to eat can have an effect on how fast you age. Smoking slows your metabolism when you’re young, and it can lead to wrinkled skin. Sun exposure can also accelerate the aging of your skin. Eating right can make a difference in how fast you grow older.
We all want to look good, especially our faces. But when we feel our best, it also shows on our faces and affects our health. Lack of sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise can only cause aging effects. The only way to slow down the aging process is to engage in a healthy lifestyle and make sure you get the right nutrients at the right time.
Healthy eating is a lifestyle choice that includes the right portions of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. The best way to maintain a healthy diet is to take charge of your choices and eat in accordance with your individual dietary needs.
To help you get a handle on what it is important to avoid, we have collected seven foods that will take you in the wrong direction.
Read on the next page, and avoid the 7 foods on this list to ensure the kind of health that comes from the inside out. Trust us, it will show through!
1. Margarine
Butter has gotten a bad rep for being saturated with fat, but margarine is a terrible product that has no redeeming qualities. The fact of the matter is that margarine is not only harmful to your body, it’s also pretty much worse than butter.
The trans fats in margarine are a prime driver of chronic disease, and they mess with the hydration level of your body. Dehydration is one of the primary causes of wrinkles, and it’s definitely an unwanted consequence. And while your body needs some omega-6 fatty acids, too much can cause inflammation.
2. Convenience Foods
I know how busy life can be. Cooking for myself every day can be a challenge at times. Many quick and convenient meals are hiding a bit of a secret: salt! and they way too much of it. Take advantage of the convenience of microwave meals and packaged foods to lighten your load — without any of the guilt.
Many people have too much salt in their diet. It can cause water retention and make your face look and feel bloated and puffy. The best way to prevent that is to eat a healthy diet that’s full of vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and lean protein. If healthy cooking doesn’t fit your schedule, try meal delivery services like Blue Apron or HelloFresh instead.
3. Energy Drinks
If you feel like you need energy drinks to get going in the morning, get to bed earlier each night. Improving your sleep hygiene can do a lot of good, but energy drinks are high in sugar, caffeine, sodium, and acid. That combo will damage and stain your teeth, and will also contribute to dehydration that will lead to aging.
You’re probably already thinking, “Ugh! I know it’s impossible to get more sleep with all the responsibilities on my plate. but if you want to stay healthy, you need to get more sleep, or your productivity, mood, and health will suffer.
4. Sugary Treats
Sugar is a scourge, indeed. It’s munching way into our lives—in everything from our morning coffee to cereal, from pretzels to pasta sauce. But there’s no reason we should be worried about it long-term, says lead author David Ludwig, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Harvard Medical School and director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Sugar is probably the biggest enemy to your health in the modern world. We’re getting it in all kinds of foods without even noticing and we’re not even checking our portions at all. It’s a curse on our nation, because it is packed into everything from chips to candy bars, and you can’t even escape it in the form of fruit!
Eating too much sugar creates a fertile environment for chronic disease. In addition to contributing to the development of diabetes, it also fuels the growth and spread of cancer. We encourage you to read labels as carefully as possible and to avoid anything that contains added sugar.
5. High Glycemic Index Carbs
Refined white flour has become highly controversial because of its high glycemic index. This means that it is digested very quickly, which means it increases your blood sugar level. This can cause a spike and a crash, which leads to an unstable energy level and possible obesity. Refined carbs have been proven to accelerate the skin’s aging and cause blemishes like acne and rosacea.
Instead, go for whole-grain foods. They are nutritionally superior to refined bread and pasta: they provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that the body needs to function optimally. They Will also fill you up better than the refined stuff, plus they can lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of chronic illnesses including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Ground flaxseeds can be used as a pasta substitute.
6. Alcohol
No need to panic! The problem does not lie in drinking. It is the high levels of sugar in the drinks. Consuming excess alcohol can lead to cell breakage and damage, slowing down our natural rate of aging. Vitamin A can also be lost through over-consumption of alcohol, causing a loss of skin elasticity and beauty.
So, of course, you should have a few drinks with friends when you go out. But it’s smart to limit the amount of sugar-laden drinks you have, like sodas or fruit juice mixers. Instead, drink alcohol mixed with soda water, and lime, which will keep you hydrated.
7. Preserved Meats
The latest research suggests that nitrates and nitrites found in preserved (used for preservation) meats can damage DNA and your cells, possibly leading to cancer. Over time, the cumulative effects of this oxidation damage may lead to aging, diseases, and many more…
So skip the bacon, hot dogs, and sausages. They’re usually filled with preservatives and fatty chemicals that will make you look older and unhealthy. Instead, opt for beans, lentils, and vegetables instead. These foods are less processed and contain anti-aging properties that will make you look younger and more energetic.
Bottom Line:
Many people want to slow down the aging process, but few know-how. Cosmetic companies know this full well, and that’s why the market is flooded with products advertised to keep you looking young. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as buying a product and slapping it on your face. But it is doable—with the right diet.