Eat more nuts
Sure, nuts are full of fat, but the good kinds: poly- and monounsaturated. These nutrient bombs are well worth swapping in for other high-calorie snacks. For example, almonds are full of flavonoids and vitamin E, and walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Recent studies have shown that nuts can also help prevent type 2 diabetes and heart disease and promote longevity (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, vol. 70, no. 3; Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002, vol. 288, no. 20). And unlike sugary snacks, nuts contain fat and protein that can satiate for hours, says Monica Levin, RHN, a holistic nutritionist based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Moisturize well and often
Moisturizing frequently—twice a day, depending on your skin type and climate—not only prevents dryness, it can also help repair sun damage and slow wrinkling. Look for three main groups of fortifying ingredients when choosing a moisturizer: cell-repairing components such as derivatives of vitamin A; antioxidants, such as green tea and vitamin C; and substances that mimic the structure of skin, like cholesterol and fatty acids. It’s also a good idea to vary your pick according to season, says Laura Hittleman, corporate beauty services director for the Canyon Ranch Spas in Arizona and Massachusetts. Depending on your climate, choose a heavy-duty moisturizer in the winter and a lighter one in the summer. And don’t use glycolic acid or Retin-A for too long, she warns, because they can end up thinning your skin.
Cook three new healthy dishes
This year, reinvigorate your diet by learning to cook at least three dishes from cuisines such as Japanese or Greek, which are chock-full of fresh vegetables and seafood, suggests Ed Bauman, PhD, founder of the Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts in Penngrove, California. Ellyn Hilliard, nutritionist and founder of the Healing Center, a whole foods–based nutrition practice in Fair Oaks, California, recommends adding one fabulous raw-veggie salad, one mineral-rich root-vegetable soup—like potato-leek or ginger-carrot—and one fruit-filled smoothie to your repertoire.
Rethink your multivitamin
A quality brand of multivitamin could help your body better prevent sickness and gradual degenerative diseases that hasten aging—and even infuse you with more energy. “You’re always getting some benefits by taking a multivitamin,” says Ken Babal, Los Angeles–based nutritionist and author of Seafood Sense (Basic Health Publications, 2005). “But there are some additives that you don’t need, like sugar, wax, or dyes.” Look out for coloring such as “red no. 5” and sugar ingredients ending in “-ose,” such as “glucose.” And seek out formulas that include essential ingredients most commonly omitted: chromium, selenium, and manganese. Babal recommends Jarrow Formulas Multi 1-to-3 and TwinLab Men’s and Women’s Ultra Daily multivitamins, which meet these criteria.
