The top ten best anti-aging foods for good looks

Plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments are wonderful; however, you do have to maintain and take responsibility for eating the rights types of foods, getting some exercise, making sure you sleep well to preserve and protect your greatest investment -- your"self".

Every day it seems there's a new study out or a new fruit or seed or berry from South America that promises youth in a bottle. Stick with and tried and true to achieve the right nutritional balance and you can't go wrong.

The top ten beneficial, anti-aging foods that you should be including in your diet are:

1.  Tomatoes - tomatoes are a great source for lycopene that is a powerful antioxidant shown to help fight illlnesses of all types. They're also loaded with Vitamin C and A. According to Dr. Oz, tomatoes are as good or better than acai and goji, two of the trendy antioxidants that were all the rage a few years ago.

2.  Green Tea - from cancer prevention to longevity to anti-aging properties, green tea is a powerful antioxidant because of its polyphenols. Organic green tea is said to be preferable because of the pesticides that cause harm instead of good.

3.  Brocolli - If you don't like it, learn to love it. Brocolli's nutritional profile beats out all other vegetables according to a Harvard University study. It has been well=documented for it's anti-inflammatory effects which can help with everything from eye health and arthritis to heart disease and sun damage. Steam it with olive oil, a bit of salt and garlic and you have a very healthy side dish.

4.  Salmon - Dr. Nicholas Perricone swears by salmont for its anti-aging properties. Wild Alaskan salmon is said to be the best. Salmon is loaded with anti-inflammatory Omega-3s, healthy fats and Vitamin B12.  Start eating salmon and start seeing a new glow to your skin.

5.  Extra virgin olive oil - is good for heart-disease prevention, cancer prevention, cholesterol lowering because of it's good fats, it's antioxidants.  Nothing better than fresh baked bread dipped in olive oil.

6.  Dark leafy greens - some can be bitter but they are loaded with vitamins and iron. Prepare them by mixing with other foods like pasta, salads, omelets that every the most finicky eater will eat. Collard greens, spinach, turnip greens -- what more could you ask for than some pinto beans and cornbread.

7.  Walnuts - contain the good fats (monosaturated) that are great for a healthy heart, lowering cholesterol, boosting brain function and reducing inflammation.  Don't go crazy and eat too many. You don't need many to get the benefits.

8.  Blueberries - low in calories and very high in Vitamin C, fiber, Vitamin E and other brain-boosting nutrients. A Tufts University study found that when they evaluated 60 other fruits and veggies for their antioxidant capabilit, the blueberries ranked first.

9.  Dark chocolate - a lot of you are going to love me for this one. You should eat dark chocolate because a recent showed its ability to protect skin from UV damage. Dark chocolate - not milk chocolate and a little bit not the entire bar.

10.  Avocados - have cholesterol lowering properties, are rich in potassium, folate, carotenoids, Vitamin E and monosaturated fats.

It is easy to obtain these foods. Shop your local grocery store, farmer's market or Whole Foods stores in the Atlanta area and you can find a vast array and assortments of fruits and vegetables along with fresh fish.

It is best to eat at least three times a day and better to eat small, meals four or five times a day. With our busy lives, work, children, traveling on the freeway, it is at times difficult to make the right choices. Once you get into the habit of making some of these or all of these top ten foods a part of your daily routine, you won't even consider not doing it.

Sarah from Whole Foods Buckhead location says to come in and you will find all these foods and more. She adds, "Stop by the bakery for whole grain breads." 

Enjoy a blueberry smoothie for breakfast:

Ingredients
1 frozen banana, thawed for 10 to 15 minutes
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
1 cup vanilla fat-free yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons flax seed meal
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
2/3 cup frozen blueberries (or fresh)c
Directions
1.Cut banana into small pieces and place into the bowl of a blender. Add the soy milk, yogurt, flax seed meal, and honey. Blend on lowest speed until smooth, about 5 seconds. Gradually add the blueberries while continuing to blend on low. Once the blueberries have been incorporated, increase speed, and blend to desired consistency.
 

For more information, click on each item to link to a website that will give you detailed information and feed your brain as you learn how to feel better and look better naturally.