Get younger-looking skin and lose 3 kg – the healthy way – in just four weeks!
While crash diets may help in the short term, they can take a toll on your face by leading to sagging and fine lines. But eating a diet rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins instead will help tighten your skin and help you lose weight in the process.
This plan has all the anti-ageing wonder foods you need to look younger in a few weeks, including collagenboosting lean meats, oily fish, eggs and veggies to plump up our skin!
Feed your face with these skin-boosting winners
Water Dehydration does nothing for your complexion. You should aim to drink at least two litres of water daily.
Carotenoids Carrots and other coloured fruits and vegetables, like mangoes and tomatoes, are packed with carotenoids, which give skin a healthy glow.
Anthocyanins These plant chemicals help to maintain collagen and capillaries, which in turn minimises the occurrence of broken veins. Get them from berries and purple fruits and vegetables.
Iron And Zinc Getting enough iron will help keep anaemia, which makes you look tired and pale, at bay, while zinc is vital for healing skin breakouts. Find both in lean red meat, pulses, nuts and eggs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids These healthy fats help fight inflammation that can lead to premature ageing. Get them from oily fish such as salmon and sardines.
Ditch these ageing culprits to look younger
Sugar People who have higher levels of glucose in their bloodstream often look older, studies have found. It’s crucial to cut down on your intake of fizzy drinks as well as processed carbohydrates like bread and rice.
Alcohol Deeper wrinkles, red cheeks and weight gain are some of the visible effects of heavy drinking. Have at least two alcohol-free days a week and stick to no more than two standard drinks a day.
Trans Fats They contribute to chronic inflammation, which leads to ageing. Takeaway foods like processed meat in burgers are among the worst culprits, so keep them as occasional treats.
Your Youth-boosting eating plan
Breakfasts
- 1 Poached egg and 2 grilled tomatoes served on a slice of wholemeal toast (no spread)
- 5 strawberries, 15 raspberries and 50 g blueberries topped with 50 g low-fat yoghurt, 1 tsp crunchy oat cereal and 1 tsp honey.
Lunches
- 2 slices wholemeal bread, 100 g tuna in brine, 2 tsps low-fat mayo and salad, plus 125 g low-fat yoghurt and rock melon.
- Half a can of baked beans on 1 slice wholemeal toast (no spread), plus a bowl of fresh fruit salad.
- Medium potato with 1 boiled egg, mashed with 2 tsps low-fat mayo and salad.
Dinners
- 400 g stir-fried veggies and 1 tsp reduced-salt soy sauce, with 8 tbsps cooked brown rice.
- 1 grilled salmon steak with 2 boiled potatoes and lots of steamed vegetables.
- Spaghetti Bolognese: 50 g lean minced beef, 200 g can tomatoes, onions and carrots. Add 75 g (dry weight) spaghetti.
Snacks
- 2 rye crispbreads with 35 g light cream cheese, 1 sliced tomato and an apple.
- 35 g slice cheddar cheese 1 pear, apple and a handful of blueberries 2 rice cakes and 1 apple.
