Sometimes I'd like to have a time machine. I’d go back and tell my younger self everything I’ve learnt since starting Coconut Magic.
When you’re young, you feel invincible. Preserving your health for the future isn’t always top of your priority list. As you mature, you start to realise that time isn’t infinite, and your health won’t always be as good as it is today.
There isn’t a way to turn back time. Everybody has to age, but changing your diet can make a big difference to the way you look and feel in the future.
Foods That Keep You Young
1. Avocado
A rich source of vitamin E, avocados not only taste delicious but the beneficial levels of healthy fats help nourish your skin, and help protect it from the visible signs of aging. The fats also help your body absorb vitamins and nutrients.
Top tip: Add to a sandwich, blitz into a smoothie with some fruit, turn it into a healthy dip or make some raw chocolate mousse.
2. Nuts
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats - Brazil nuts are my personal favourite. They contain the powerful antioxidant, selenium, which can help maintain your skins elasticity and could help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Top tip: Add a handful to your muesli in the mornings or snack on them through the day.
3. Chia seeds
Chia seeds (along side flax seeds) are one of the best way to get omega-3 fats into your diet. Omega-3 can help fight the signs of aging, along with a range of other perks.
Top tip: Aim to eat a chia pudding twice a week. Or add a tablespoon of chia seeds to your favourite smoothie recipe. Our Chai Spice raw energy bars are made with organic chia seeds and can be a great snack on the go. I also have some wonderful recipes using chia seeds in my book The Healthy Coconut.
4. Berries
All berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and they’re naturally high in flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins, which research has shown can protect against various diseases. Darker berries tend to provide the greatest anti-aging benefit, as they’re abundant in vitamin C which is essential for collagen production - this plumps your skin to keep it youthful. With claims that berries can improve neurological degeneration, reduce inflammation and restrict the growth of cancer cells, they’re a delicious and nutritious way to improve your diet.
Top tip: Add a scoop of berries to a smoothie, scatter some on top of your breakfast or enjoy them as your afternoon snack. Always make sure to use organic berries only.
5. Coconut oil
My all-time favourite way to peel back the years is eating coconut oil. When consumed regularly, virgin coconut oil can protect your health in so many ways, from improving your digestion and reducing the risk of major diseases, through to helping you lose weight and boosting your energy.
Worry, lack of sleep and stress are the worst culprits for making you look (and feel!) older than you are. For an instant pick-me-up, invest some time in yourself and use your coconut oil for some well-deserved pampering. Use coconut oil as your daily moisturiser and watch your skin literally transform!
Top tip: Replace butter or oil in your recipes with coconut oil, fry your pancakes in it for a delicious flavour or use it in your stir fry. You can even add it to your morning coffee!
The Healthy Coconut covers everything you’ve ever wanted to know about coconut oil and other beauty superfoods. It’s packed with practical tips, tricks, recipes and advice to help you improve your health and wellbeing. Order your copy NOW.
Author: Jenni Madison
Jenni started Coconut Magic when she returned from living in Thailand in 2011.Whilst abroad, Jenni had discovered the most amazing quality of coconut oil and experienced her own health transformation. Jenni returned with very little other than her coconut oil discovery and a desire to share it with the world. Just a few months after her return coconut oil and a whole new perception of well being started to become 'rediscovered' in the west. People were looking for clean, pure and sustainable, health products. People were eager to learn about health food, raw food and healing with plant-based nutrition. Based on this, alongside Jenni's passion to share what she had discovered in the East, the company grew fast.
Coconut Magic is committed to bringing you the highest quality coconut products, backed by sustainable, fairly traded production, and well being education.
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