Booster Foods: Why you should be adding them to your diet.

Let’s talk all things health & beauty! Booster foods are additions to your diet that add just that; a boost! These foods are packed full of nutrients that benefit our overall wellbeing, but can be beneficial to a specific system. I always try and add booster foods to my diet wherever I can and after awhile, it becomes incredibly easy! These may be foods you already consume, but I hope you’ll find a thing or two to add to your own diet. Let’s get down with the nitty gritty!

Skin, hair, & nail boosters:

• Berries!

  • These come with a little explanation point because these antioxidant powerhouses are incredible for skin health. Bluebs, straws, blackberries - the more the merrier, just make sure you purchase them organically as they are on the “dirty dozen” (high pesticide use).

• Fish

  • Fatty fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, both of which are AMAZING for our skin (vitamin E is one of the most important antioxidants for skin health). Salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines are all great sources.

• Olive Oil

  • This is a miracle worker for our skin & hair. Applying it directly to skin can actually reverse sun damage & prevent aging. Using it as a hair mask can help combat split-ends & breakage & add a healthy shine. But, consuming it offers the most benefit. It helps protect our livers from oxidative stress too.

• Avocado

  • These bad boys are full of vitamin E, fatty-acids, potassium, & many other antioxidants that help nourish & moisturize our cells from the inside out.

• Nuts & Seeds

• Nutritional Yeast

  • Full of vitamin B12, this nutritional powerhouse combats brittle nails & hair loss, reduces acne, and improves other skin conditions.

• Seaweeds

  • They offer the broadest range of minerals than any other food & are a natural source of iodine, which many of us lack in our diets. They’re high in antioxidants which help keep skin clear & the body absent of harmful free radicals.They’re not only good for your skin, but prevent cancer & many common chronic conditions/disease such as cardiovascular disease. 

Immune system boosters:

• Turmeric

  • This spice is an amazing antioxidant & anti-inflammatory & can even inhibit cancer growth. Sprinkle it on anything, but make sure you add a little dash of pepper with it as this helps the absorption of it’s benefits.

• Citrus fruits

• Cayenne

  • Cayenne is a metabolism booster, can fight off cancer cells, offers antioxidant properties, as well as acts as an anti-inflammatory. If you can stand the heat, make sure to incorporate this into all your savory meals!

• Oregano

  • This powerful herb has been shown to be extremely anti-inflammatory & full of antioxidant properties that help support immune function. It’s even been shown that adding Oregano to meat while cooking, can reduce oxidative stress (carcinogens) that naturally occur.

Energy boost:

• Nutritional Yeast (I don’t know if you’re seeing a trend here, but this stuffs amazing)

  • If you have trouble feeling sluggish throughout the day, check your B12! Lack of b12 in the diet is a common culprit of fatigue. Adding nutritional yeast into your diet can help boost levels & offer a little energy boost.

• Maca Powder

  • Maca is a powerful adaptogen that not only helps maintain energy levels, but helps balance hormones as well. It has rich toffee, caramel notes & tastes great in smoothies!

• Ashwagandha

  • This powerful adaptogen helps relieve our bodies of stressors & keeps us out of “fight or flight” mode, which in turn allows more energy to go about our daily activities. Ashwagandha powder can be thrown into a smoothie for easy consumption! But, beware of supplement dosage as most overdue it.