We have been through so many fads and fashions about what was constitutes a healthy diet that it’s hardly surprising that we sometimes get confused. And there have been many times over the last twenty or so years when experts have got it wrong, or new research has caused them to change their minds. Then there are the commercial concerns of the vast food manufacturing business. We’ve had the high-fibre fashion, we’ve lived through the high-cholesterol scares, abandoned fats of every type, forsworn sugars, eggs and red-meats, dispensed with caffeine and sodium, been terrified by BSE scares and are still working are way through the minefields of overproduction and factory farming. There have been times in the past few years when all we felt we could eat were a handful of leaves and a few nuts – and even those only if you weren’t allergic to them.
Somehow, in spite of all this knowledge, we’re told we’re the fattest and unhealthiest we’ve ever been as a nation. Running parallel with this are the growing numbers if young girls (and young men now too) with eating disorders. Some experts estimate that as many as 60 per cent of all teenage girls suffer, or will do at some time from such a disorder.
My view is that the only way you can get through all of this is to fall back on the age-old rule of thumb that a little of what you fancy does you good. If you can have a reasonably balanced diet and take some form of exercise on a regular basis then at least you’re in with a chance.
A well balanced diet of some protein – meat or fish or cheese – some carbohydrates – potatoes or pasta or rice – and large helpings of fruit and vegetables is mostly what we need. Far too few people eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables, but listening to both my clients and staff I know that many of us are trying to rectify this. I know from the nutritionists and doctors I’ve worked with that we’re also much more likely now to search out organically produced fruit and vegetables. We’ve listened to the warnings, read the signs and decided that we’ve had enough of pesticide-ridden foods. Those of us with children are made constantly aware of what we are doing, first to our own bodies and then to our countryside and environment, by not taking action on any or all of these fronts. Many of us have little green monsters in our midst watching our every mouthful and asking questions that could nearly put you off your breakfast!
Foods hair loves,
· Fresh fruits, particularly red and orange ones such as oranges, uglis, clementines, tangerines, grapefruits, pineapples, mangoes, papaya, apricots, peaches and black grapes.
· Salad vegetables: lettuce, baby spinach, watercress, rocket, tomatoes, avocadoes cucumber and chicory.
· Vegetables: all the greens from cabbage to asparagus, plus red peppers, carrots, onions, cauliflower, courgettes, celery, leeks and broccoli.
· Wholegrains: brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal breads and porridge.
Foods hair likes,
· Proteins: chicken, small portions or red meat, fish, especially oily varieties such as salmon, sardines and herring and small helping of hard cheeses and eggs.
· Pulses such as beans and lentils.
· Unsaturated fats such as cold-pressed olive and safflower oils; small amounts of butter.
Foods hair would rather you avoid,
· Saturated fats, anything processed, biscuits, cakes, chocolate and sugar, crisps, salted nuts, salted anything, creams, burgers, frankfurters and anything deep-fried.
Drinks,
· Water: lots, at least a litre and a half a day.
· Herbal or fruit teas. If you cannot do without caffeine, limit your intake to one or two cups of coffee or tea a day.
· Watch the alcohol- one or two glasses of wine maximum (red is better for your blood than white) or one glass of beer a day.
· Fruit juices: one or two glasses a day. Vegetable juices are even better.
· Vegetable drinks such as carrot, celery, tomatoes or V8. Invest in a juicer and make your own-these are great for de-tox days.
· Avoid colas or other fizzy drinks.
Best for hair.
· Beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A when required, and it works as an antioxidant, protecting the cells. It helps maintain healthy hair, skin and nails, among other things.
· Vitamin B complex
· Vitamin C
· Omega-3
· Starflower oil
· Selenium
· Zinc
Somehow, in spite of all this knowledge, we’re told we’re the fattest and unhealthiest we’ve ever been as a nation. Running parallel with this are the growing numbers if young girls (and young men now too) with eating disorders. Some experts estimate that as many as 60 per cent of all teenage girls suffer, or will do at some time from such a disorder.
My view is that the only way you can get through all of this is to fall back on the age-old rule of thumb that a little of what you fancy does you good. If you can have a reasonably balanced diet and take some form of exercise on a regular basis then at least you’re in with a chance.
A well balanced diet of some protein – meat or fish or cheese – some carbohydrates – potatoes or pasta or rice – and large helpings of fruit and vegetables is mostly what we need. Far too few people eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables, but listening to both my clients and staff I know that many of us are trying to rectify this. I know from the nutritionists and doctors I’ve worked with that we’re also much more likely now to search out organically produced fruit and vegetables. We’ve listened to the warnings, read the signs and decided that we’ve had enough of pesticide-ridden foods. Those of us with children are made constantly aware of what we are doing, first to our own bodies and then to our countryside and environment, by not taking action on any or all of these fronts. Many of us have little green monsters in our midst watching our every mouthful and asking questions that could nearly put you off your breakfast!
Foods hair loves,
· Fresh fruits, particularly red and orange ones such as oranges, uglis, clementines, tangerines, grapefruits, pineapples, mangoes, papaya, apricots, peaches and black grapes.
· Salad vegetables: lettuce, baby spinach, watercress, rocket, tomatoes, avocadoes cucumber and chicory.
· Vegetables: all the greens from cabbage to asparagus, plus red peppers, carrots, onions, cauliflower, courgettes, celery, leeks and broccoli.
· Wholegrains: brown rice, wholewheat pasta, wholemeal breads and porridge.
Foods hair likes,
· Proteins: chicken, small portions or red meat, fish, especially oily varieties such as salmon, sardines and herring and small helping of hard cheeses and eggs.
· Pulses such as beans and lentils.
· Unsaturated fats such as cold-pressed olive and safflower oils; small amounts of butter.
Foods hair would rather you avoid,
· Saturated fats, anything processed, biscuits, cakes, chocolate and sugar, crisps, salted nuts, salted anything, creams, burgers, frankfurters and anything deep-fried.
Drinks,
· Water: lots, at least a litre and a half a day.
· Herbal or fruit teas. If you cannot do without caffeine, limit your intake to one or two cups of coffee or tea a day.
· Watch the alcohol- one or two glasses of wine maximum (red is better for your blood than white) or one glass of beer a day.
· Fruit juices: one or two glasses a day. Vegetable juices are even better.
· Vegetable drinks such as carrot, celery, tomatoes or V8. Invest in a juicer and make your own-these are great for de-tox days.
· Avoid colas or other fizzy drinks.
Best for hair.
· Beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A when required, and it works as an antioxidant, protecting the cells. It helps maintain healthy hair, skin and nails, among other things.
· Vitamin B complex
· Vitamin C
· Omega-3
· Starflower oil
· Selenium
· Zinc
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