Summary

The article outlines eight dietary habits that have helped the author maintain a youthful appearance, a lean physique, and overall health.

Abstract

The author shares their personal experience with a diet that has enabled them to look 10 years younger, emphasizing the importance of internal well-being reflected through diet. The article details eight key eating habits, including vegetarianism with occasional fish, gluten avoidance, ample hydration, intermittent fasting by eating breakfast after 10 a.m., light lunches with nutritious grains and vegetables, substantial dinners to prevent late-night snacking, replacing desserts with hot beverages and dark chocolate, and recycling leftovers for convenience and consistency. The author advocates for avoiding junk food and processed ingredients, suggesting that dietary control is empowering and leads to a happier, healthier life.

Opinions

The author believes that diet is crucial for maintaining a youthful appearance and overall health.
They express a strong preference for a vegetarian diet, citing personal health and environmental benefits.
Avoiding gluten is presented as a positive choice that has contributed to weight loss and improved mental health.
Drinking plenty of water is emphasized for its cleansing benefits and impact on skin health.
The practice of intermittent fasting by delaying breakfast is a natural habit for the author and is suggested to be beneficial.
Light lunches are preferred for their nutritional value without being overly heavy.
A substantial dinner is important to avoid late-night snacking and ensure satiety until morning.
The author advocates for replacing traditional sugary desserts with healthier alternatives like herbal tea and dark chocolate.
Recycling leftovers is seen as a practical way to enjoy meals without the hassle of daily cooking, while also promoting mindful eating habits.
The author holds the opinion that processed foods and junk food are toxic and should be eliminated from one's diet.
They assert that taking control of one's diet leads to increased willpower, self-discipline, and a sense of empowerment.

I Look 10 Years Younger Thanks to This Diet

8 eating habits that keep me healthy and lean

I’ve always looked younger. Like 10 years younger. Even my nutritionist told me that I have the metabolism of an 18-year-old woman, which was such great news to hear. However, looking younger really bothered me for a very long time. Imagine being on a plane, asking for a glass of wine and the flight attendant asks for your ID to make sure you are over 18… or a client laughing at me during an important business transaction because I look like a fresh grad. It’s frustrating and annoying.

Today, as I’m in my mid-thirties, I’m happy to look, feel, and be younger. I’m proud of my age, don’t get me wrong, but I’m also proud of having a physically young and fresh body. So, what is my secret?

I truly believe that the secret of happiness and a long life is to take care of ourselves from the inside out.

This is why I’ve always paid a lot of attention to my diet. You are what you eat, and your diet reflects on your face and body.

I have 8 eating habits that help me stay healthy, lean, and young, and one rule: get rid of junk food at all costs. They are created to taste good, but they are bad for our bodies. They lower our vibrance and disconnect us from it. Many highly processed and packaged foods contain high levels of devitalized ingredients and additives. Why would you want to put these things in your body? It’s challenging to avoid foods created to taste good. But is the fleeting taste of these foods worth feeling sick, anxious, or depressed from their toxicity? I say no. Finding the right diet plan when there are so many and eating healthy is about what works for you. The bottom line is you have to avoid junk food.

With that said, here are the 8 eating habits that help me look 10 years younger while staying lean and healthy.

#1: I stay away from meat

I am a vegetarian who eats some types of fish. Vegetarianism benefits my health. It also empowers me to know that this diet choice is good for the environment. If you’re a meat lover, you can just lower the amount of meat you eat in a week.

#2: I avoid gluten

For the past few months, I also have had a gluten-free diet and I am healthier than ever. As a result, I’ve lost 11 pounds and become lean. My mental health improved and overall, I feel great.

#3: I drink plenty of water

It’s easy to forget to drink water when busy. That’s why I have a one liter, reusable bottle to keep track of my daily water intake. Hydration cleanses the body and gives the skin a healthy glow. Studies show that women should drink 2,1 liters a day and men should drink 2,6. I try to drink a pint of water as soon as I wake up to start the day refreshed.

#4: I eat breakfast after 10 a.m.

I always wait until 10 a.m. before having breakfast. I’ve always done that naturally since I’m 12. Call it intermittent fasting if you want.

For breakfast, I put two pieces of gluten-free bread in the oven and I add two sunny-side-up eggs to put on toast. So far, this meal has fiber, carbs, and protein. Avocado with lemon juice is a great option to spread on toast instead of butter. With that, add fruit and this is all that’s needed for a balanced breakfast.

#5: I have a light lunch

For my mid-day meal, I swap heavy carbs for a light dish. Couscous and quinoa are great choices, as they are nutritious and fill you up. I chop up cucumber, bell peppers, and celery and mix them into the couscous/quinoa. Adding a splash of avocado oil and a sprinkle of a herb enhances the flavor. Sometimes I make tuna avocado (a healthier tuna mayo option) and put that in too. This lunch is fun and simple and there are loads of routes to take it.

#6: I never skip dinner

Having a decent-sized dinner is key. It should keep you going until morning to avoid late-night snacking.

My staple dinner is a brown rice with tofu and vegetables. Tofu is often seen as flavorless, but marinating it in sesame dressing is delicious. For texture, I air-fry the tofu. The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a professional chef to experiment with it.

#7: Hot beverages and dark chocolate are the new desserts

I stay away from sugar. High levels of sugar increase the risk of age spots. A herbal tea fixes my desire for something sweet after each meal. I add a piece of 100% chocolate for my chocolate fix. My favorite brand is Island Shark Chocolate from Hawai'i. It’s ethical and doesn’t use child slavery. Cacao helps the brain make serotonin, a chemical that makes us happy.

#8: I recycle the leftovers

Last but not least, I always make more food for lunch and dinner than I know I’m going to eat. Making twice the amount of food I need for one meal creates leftovers. It’s nice to cook a big meal that I know I’ll love the next day. Plus, I don’t have to think so much about cooking!

With dietary restrictions, you create an awareness and a sense of control over what you put in your body. It’s a powerful feeling that nurtures your willpower and teaches you self-discipline. Beauty comes from the inside, so make sure you eat clean.

Stay healthy. Stay lean. Good luck!

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