Speed up metabolism, flush out toxins, fight bloat, tone your skin, and make your hair and skin glow with these everyday foods — most of which require no cooking! From actress and Dancing With the Stars alumna Lisa Rinna, author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever
Fab Foods
These are my must-have foods. I eat as many of them as I can every day. It helps that I love them, so it’s a treat, not a chore.
Berries: raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, anything with the word “berry” at the end of it. They have tons of vitamins C and E, fiber, and antioxidants. The fiber fills you up, curbs cravings, and helps eliminate toxins and fluids. The antioxidants give you glowing skin, shiny hair, and strong nails. They also improve memory and brain function (good for remembering names at that special event!).
Yogurt: it’s full of calcium (400 mg. per cup), which has been proven to help burn fat and promote weight loss, plus protein (8 grams per cup), which helps your body build muscle. One cup has as much potassium as a banana. Potassium flushes out sodium, ridding you of fluids and bloat. It also contains lecithin, which helps digestion. Yogurt also contains probiotics that strengthen the immune system, and friendly bacteria, which break down toxins and help your body absorb more vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Make sure you read the labels carefully and choose only those that have live and active cultures, and no added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
Oats and whole grains: oatmeal, barley, oat bran, brown rice, rye, and quinoa are a perfect combo of fiber, protein, and complex carbs. They are also rich in magnesium and potassium. Fiber curbs cravings and speeds metabolism, so having a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast will keep you full throughout the morning. Sprinkle on some cinnamon, which will keep you from reaching for a sugary, mid-morning snack.
Spinach: it is full of B6 vitamins, fiber, protein (who knew?), calcium, lecithin, vitamins A, C, K, iron, and coenzyme COQ. It also has magnesium, which helps your body absorb vitamin D, and prevents fatigue and depression. The majority of women have seriously low levels of vitamin D, which can mean serious trouble for your bones. I suffer from low bone density so I am very vigilant about getting enough vitamin D and calcium. Spinach has a high water content, which is great for flushing out toxins and excess fluids. Chlorophyll speeds slimming by helping heal and detox the liver so it can break down and flush out toxins. Goodbye, bloat!
Legumes/beans: chickpeas, kidney, pinto, red, and black beans have huge amounts of protein and fiber. Beans block the enzyme that turns carbs to sugar, preventing blood sugar levels from spiking, which leads to fat storage. The protein strengthens collagen and elastin, the tissue that keeps your skin looking firm and healthy. I eat just 3 cups a week (canned are fine) to get all these amazing benefits.
Eggs: they have zinc, protein, amino acids, B vitamins, which build white blood cells, and antibodies to fight off illness. Just two eggs eliminate fat-soluble toxins. Don’t ignore the yolk — it has all the nutrients — lutein, choline, vitamins A, D, E, and B6. Try to buy the ones that come from pastured hens, or are enriched to provide double or triple amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Asparagus: it’s got amazing diuretic properties. Try to eat eight spears a day with 64 ounces of water for one week to flush out toxins and excess fluids, and to reduce bloat.
Broccoli: it’s easy to find and inexpensive, and is chockfull of vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.
Nuts and seeds: These are true super foods, and there are so many varieties to choose from: almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, peanuts, and peanut butter. They contain omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B6 and E, and soluble fiber. Fiber helps stabilize blood sugar and prevents insulin surges and weight gain. I always carry nuts with me and eat them every day.
Healthy oils: olive, canola, and flaxseed. These contain good fats and are a great source of vitamin E, and are better for you than vegetable oils, which are more difficult to digest and can lead to inflammation.
Chocolate: when I’m feeling hormonal, I crave sweets, especially chocolate. It turns out that chocolate not only satisfies my sweet tooth but also produces “feel good” endorphins in the brain. Try to choose brands that have a 70 percent or greater cocoa content, as these have less sugar and more of the beneficial ingredients.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Rinna, author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever (Copyright © 2009 by Lisa Rinna), is an award-winning actress and television host, best known for her roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, as well as her co-hosting duties on Soap Talk, her appearances on Dancing with the Stars, and her red-carpet interviews on the TV Guide Network. She is the creator of a line of dance-themed exercise DVDs called Lisa Rinna Dance Body Beautiful, and she runs her own successful boutique, Belle Gray, with her husband, actor Harry Hamlin, with whom she has two daughters, Delilah and Amelia.
MORE ARTICLES BY THE AUTHOR
- 7 Dynamite Drinks for Revving Up Metabolism and Boosting Energy
- Home Beauty Remedies That Really Work
- The Ultimate Quick-Fix Workout
LEARN MORE
- Read the Introduction to Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever
- Watch a slideshow of photos from the book
