Five healthy foods for women
1. Legumes - beans, asparagus, peas, soybeans . Legumes contain a lot of phytoestrogens - these are special plant substances that are similar in their biochemical structure to estrogens. They help maintain normal hormonal levels of a woman. The most important thing is that legumes, due to their phytoestrogens content, reduce the manifestation of climatic symptoms. At the same time, legumes contain lecithin, choline, vitamins B and E, microelements... They have a beneficial effect on both the skin and brain function. You should add legumes to your menu at least 2-3 times a week.
2. Cottage cheese is a source of essential milk proteins, vitamins and minerals. It is perfectly absorbed and has a beneficial effect on the skeletal system, teeth, blood vessels…. It is especially recommended for heart patients and hypertensive patients, and is used to prevent liver and kidney diseases, hypertension and age-related osteoporosis. Why is it important for women to eat cottage cheese? Because during menopause their calcium metabolism is disrupted and osteoporosis occurs. Taking cottage cheese 2-3 times a week will be a good prevention.
3. Carrots . It contains many vitamins that help maintain beauty and youth. The well-known tocopherol - vitamin E of youth - slows down the aging process, and is also indispensable during pregnancy. Phylloquinone - vitamin K - is involved in metabolism in bones and connective tissue, promotes the absorption of calcium, ensuring the interaction of calcium and vitamin D, which is very important for women in menopause. Beta-carotene, a precursor to the eye enzyme rhodopsin, is necessary for immunity and vision; for healthy gums and teeth - chewing fresh carrots, for excellent intestinal function - fiber. Plus, carrots remove cholesterol from the body.
4. Oatmeal . This is an ideal product for excellent digestion. It is only important to pay attention to classic oatmeal, which is cooked for a long time on the stove, and not quickly dissolved in a mug. Coarse oatmeal activates peristalsis, and therefore blood circulation in the pelvis, this is very useful for women. It is the classic oatmeal with water that removes toxins, and even lead, from the body! And in case of diabetes, oatmeal lowers blood sugar levels. Oatmeal biotin increases the body's protective functions and endurance. Oatmeal should be eaten at least 2 times a week.
5. Bananas . The main advantage of bananas is the huge amount of potassium they contain. The caloric content of bananas does not allow you to eat tons of them, but as an energy snack you can carry them with you even to a workout. This is an excellent antidepressant, a savior from toxins, a calmer for the stomach and esophagus. Bananas help prevent migraines and keep skin toned. It is especially useful for women to eat them during PMS - they help cope with stress.
Top products for women's beauty
red fish
Any red fish - trout, salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, salmon, etc. – rich in healthy fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6. It also contains vitamins A, B, D, E, PP, important macro- and microelements, amino acids and other active substances.
This product helps slow down the aging process and has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine and digestive systems. Regular consumption of red fish improves memory, increases performance and, due to the content of healthy fats, helps prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The vitamin D contained in fish helps the body better absorb calcium, keeping teeth and bones strong.
It should be included in the diet 2-4 times a week (50-100 g at a time).
Berries
They are not only tasty and low-calorie, but also very healthy. They contain pectin, which improves digestion and helps remove toxins and harmful free radicals from the body (cause aging processes). The berries are rich in vitamins B, C, D, organic acids and a large number of microelements.
They reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and many other diseases, strengthen the immune system, help eliminate swelling and improve metabolism.
The most useful products for beauty are black currants, rose hips, raspberries, mulberries, blueberries, lingonberries and cranberries.
All berries have anti-inflammatory, strengthening, anti-cancer, rejuvenating and antioxidant effects. Also, due to the high content of minerals, this product helps normalize digestion, and also helps to reduce weight and reduce the level of bad cholesterol.
It’s worth adding a handful of different berries to your diet every day.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains all the substances the body needs - fiber, protein, fatty acids, vitamins B, K, E and A and a large number of essential microelements.
Regular use of this product helps to normalize digestion and the activity of the cardiovascular system, cleanse the body of toxins, strengthen blood vessels and bone tissue and increase immunity. And thanks to the high content of vitamins B and E, which neutralize the effects of harmful free radicals, it significantly improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair, and also helps slow down the aging process and maintains youth and beauty.
Oatmeal is low-calorie, so it is suitable even for overweight people. Regular inclusion of this product in the diet also helps normalize hormonal levels and helps prevent various gynecological diseases.
Natural whole grain cereals should be included in the diet regularly.
Green leafy vegetables
Another group of the most useful youth and beauty products for women.
Various kale, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, romaine and iceberg lettuce, arugula, etc. – valuable sources of almost all groups of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Leafy vegetables are rich in fiber, which improves digestion and helps fight excess weight, and also contain useful organic acids that improve metabolism, strengthen the immune system and have anti-cancer effects.
Also, these products have a positive effect on the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, help normalize blood pressure and reduce stress levels.
Leafy vegetables contain antioxidants, vitamins A and E, which promote cellular rejuvenation and maintain the beauty and freshness of the skin.
It is also recommended to consume this product on a daily basis.
Nuts
Many nutritionists believe that to preserve youth and beauty, you can do without expensive cosmetic procedures and complex pharmacy vitamins. Instead, it is recommended to regularly consume small amounts of nuts - almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, etc.
Just a handful of nuts a day will help reduce the risk of cancer, gynecological, cardiac and many other diseases, strengthen the immune system, prevent or significantly reduce the appearance of varicose veins and slow down the aging process.
Nuts are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They help effectively lose weight, prevent the development of osteoporosis, tone well, increase performance, and even help fight headaches and other types of pain.
Nuts contain a large amount of biotin, which strengthens hair and nails, as well as vitamin E, which protects the skin from the negative effects of UV radiation and free radical attacks.
Thus, nuts can be called an indispensable product for women's health, youth and beauty.
They should also be consumed regularly, but in small quantities.
Avocado
Truly an ideal product for beauty and youth. Thanks to its high content of healthy fats, avocados help smooth out wrinkles, moisturize and nourish the skin, and improve the structure of hair and nails.
This fruit is a natural source of vitamins A, C, B, E, K, folic acid, iron, calcium and many other important microelements. It helps improve memory, strengthen the immune system, resist stress, reduces the risk of cancer and normalizes blood pressure.
It has a beneficial effect on the skin, because... has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps fight acne, eczema and other skin diseases.
Despite the fairly high calorie content of this product, the fats included in its composition not only do not harm the figure, but allow you to restore impaired metabolic processes, neutralize bad cholesterol, normalize digestion and blood sugar levels and strengthen the walls of blood vessels, thus promoting smooth weight loss .
The product is suitable for daily use (½ – 1 fruit per day).
Kiwi
This exotic fruit is rich in dietary fiber, organic fatty acids and a whole range of microelements. Kiwi is a low-calorie product that has a beneficial effect on the entire body. It reduces bad cholesterol, normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure, improves vision and prevents the risk of kidney stones and sand, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Regular consumption of kiwi helps avoid hormonal surges, slows down aging, helps produce collagen, which makes the skin smooth and elastic, muscles flexible, and bones strong and durable.
In addition, kiwi has an antioxidant effect, removes accumulated toxins from the body and normalizes metabolism, promoting weight loss.
The high content of vitamin C helps protect the body from various viruses and pathogenic bacteria.
You can eat 2-3 kiwi fruits daily.
Olive oil
Another indispensable healthy product for beauty and health. Olive oil has a unique composition in which saturated and unsaturated fats are in perfect balance. It contains a large amount of vitamins A, E and D, which have a beneficial effect on the quality of hair, skin and nails. Phosphorus compounds take an active part in the normalization of metabolic processes. Carotenoids, sterols and tocopherols accelerate regeneration processes, promote the production of collagen, which fights skin aging, and protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The oil helps normalize blood pressure and digestion, reduce the level of bad cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Normalizes hormonal levels and the menstrual cycle, restores microflora, prevents the development of diabetes and prevents the growth of cancer cells due to the content of valuable oleic acid. Helps eliminate cellulite and stretch marks.
It is recommended to include Extra virgin oil in food daily in small quantities - 1-2 tablespoons.
Beet
If we talk about nutrition for beauty, then it is worth paying attention to such a product as beets, which is available at any time of the year. Regular consumption of this low-calorie vegetable can save you from purchasing cosmetic products with a lifting effect. It's all about the high zinc content, which prevents splitting of nails, hair loss and peeling of the skin. In addition, zinc stimulates the production of collagen, which is responsible for skin elasticity.
Beets contain large amounts of vitamin A, C, E, H, as well as B vitamins, minerals, pectins, bioflavonoids and organic acids.
It helps stabilize hormonal levels, promotes the process of hematopoiesis, stimulates the body's protective functions, has an anti-cancer effect, removes cholesterol, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and generally has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. The fiber contained in beets helps normalize digestion and intestinal microflora, promoting smooth weight loss.
Beets can be consumed daily, the daily norm for a healthy person is 150-200 g.
Dates
This southern dried fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, PP, group B, amino acids, pectin, dietary vitamins and essential microelements.
It is used to prevent cardiovascular and cancer diseases, to strengthen the immune system and stimulate brain function. Fluorine, which is part of dates, helps strengthen tooth enamel. These dried fruits improve vision, stabilize blood pressure, reduce stress and normalize sleep. It is also used as a source of antioxidants and tryptophan (an essential acid that is synthesized in the body into endorphins - “joy hormones”).
The benefits of dates for women also include a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and normalization of microflora due to the large amount of coarse dietary fiber.
Dates are quite high in calories, but they can replace all harmful simple carbohydrates - bread, baked goods, sweets, etc.
You can eat dates every day, the average norm is 8-10 fruits per day.
Please note that each product has a number of contraindications, primarily individual intolerance, allergies and the presence of any gastrointestinal diseases. In this case, before consuming certain products, you should consult your doctor.
Five foods that are harmful to women
1. Sugar . It has high calorie content, but has no nutritional value for the body. These calories are called "empty" calories. Empty calories in women after 25 years are stored as fat. Then liver and gallbladder diseases begin, insulin mechanisms are depleted, and type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs.
And sweet blood is a breeding ground for bacteria. Sweet blood flowing through the vessels disrupts microcirculation, causing nephoropathy, retinal detachment and angiopathy of the lower extremities. Synthetic sweeteners are also not an option. They can provoke dermatitis and tumor formation. Be careful with honey too. Honey contains a significant amount of boron. Boron reduces the level of female hormones and increases the production of male ones.
2. Margarine . Without transgenic fats, it is not produced, and they contribute to metabolic failure, weight gain, disruption of the endocrine system, allergic reactions, heart attacks and strokes, even oncology. It is important to remember that all inexpensive baked goods are made with margarine. In product formulations it is easily hidden behind the names “confectionery fat”, “cocoa butter substitute”, “vegetable fat”, “hydrogenated oil” and others.
Margarine is especially harmful for women, because due to hormonal levels in women, the processes of anabolism (fat synthesis) prevail over catabolism (fat breakdown). This means that fat metabolism is disrupted faster, fats are burned poorly, and weight gain occurs.
3. Alcohol . Its regular use changes the hormonal background of the female body and affects reproductive function. In addition, the liver, brain, cardiovascular system, stomach and other internal organs suffer. Calcium is washed out of the bones - as mentioned above, it is especially important for women's health. Bones become brittle, hair falls out, teeth crumble. In general, the picture, frankly speaking, is not very pretty.
4. Soups and instant noodles, bouillon cubes . Mixtures that are used in concentrates are especially harmful to the female body. Firstly, they contain a lot of salt and spices. The gastric mucosa in women is more delicate than in men. Therefore, the risk of getting gastritis or stomach ulcers is much higher.
Secondly, such foods often contain monosodium glutamate E621, which increases nervous excitability, especially in women, causing mood swings.
Inosinate (E631) is also often found in cubes. It refers to additives that mask the natural taste of dried bone broth, which is not always pleasant.
This dietary supplement has a negative effect on the female body, causing an increase in blood pressure, and can cause dizziness, redness of the facial skin, nausea, and severe sweating. Contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, allergy sufferers, asthmatics and gout sufferers.
Of course, occasionally and in small doses it will not cause catastrophic harm, but it is still better to avoid such products.
5. White yeast bread and buns . All useful substances of wheat are contained in the shell of the grain and its germ. When baking white bread, they end up in waste. And lush loaves and buns are baked from a completely useless part of the grain. Even the 30% of nutrients that remain in white flour disappear after a couple of weeks of storage. As a result, your favorite baked goods consist of “empty” calories, starch and yeast.
As a result of regular consumption of buns and buns, not only does excess weight appear, but along with it comes cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal and oncological diseases.
The percentage of diabetes mellitus among those who prefer white loaves is three times higher than among those who prefer grain bread. This is due to a violation of carbohydrate metabolism in the body.
And women already have a higher risk of developing diabetes than men.
Nutrition for women 40+. Preserving health and beauty
After 40-45 years, a woman enters a new stage of life. The body begins a gradual transition from puberty to the cessation of the generative (menstrual and hormonal) function of the ovaries. It goes differently for every woman. Nutrition during this period should provide the body with all the necessary substances and help maintain normal body weight, since excess weight can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
- Include “feminine” foods in your menu: whole grains, legumes, fruits and berries, vegetables. These are sources of phytoestrogens, which in their structure resemble the hormone estradiol, the most active form of estrogen. 5 servings of foods with phytoestrogens daily help reduce the symptoms of menopause. Vegetables, fruits, and berries are necessary for the good functioning of the digestive system and the prevention of constipation. The daily norm is at least 400 g of vegetables and fruits (berries) per day, excluding potatoes.
- Lean meats are a complete protein, necessary for the construction of body cells and the normal course of all physiological processes.
- Dairy products are the best source of easily digestible calcium, the main building material of bone tissue. After 40 years of age, bone loss occurs faster than its recovery. It is important that you get enough calcium from your diet.
- Fatty fish are a source of vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty (omega-3) acids that promote cardiovascular health. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, which is important for the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Control of the quantity and quality of fat in the diet. Limit the consumption of confectionery products and foods high in fat (sausage, hot dogs, processed foods). Healthy: unrefined vegetable oils, nuts, flaxseed. They contain vitamin E, which is important for the good functioning of the reproductive and other endocrine glands.
- Reasonable consumption of tea and coffee. Uncontrolled consumption of these drinks, even in the absence of diseases, can cause unwanted neurovegetative disorders - increased blood pressure, tachycardia, hot flashes.
- No more than 25-35 g of sugar per day! This is 3 teaspoons of jam, 6 teaspoons of sugar or 3 teaspoons of honey.
- Limit your consumption of table salt. Physiological changes during menopause can lead to water retention in the body, which leads to edema and hypertension. The norm is no more than 4-5 g of salt per day, including salt in all prepared foods.
- Remember the water! As you age, your body loses 10-15% of fluid, which can cause constipation and drowsiness. The required amount of water per day depends on body weight, human activity, working conditions and time of year. Excess water in the body is as undesirable as its deficiency.
- Distribution of food for the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2-3 snacks between them. This diet will eliminate large portions of food and help normalize weight.
The energy supplied from food must be completely expended through basal metabolism and physical activity. Diet changes should be “tasty.” Everything that does not bring pleasure will sooner or later be stopped.
Let's move on to creating a menu
Both partners should take a responsible approach to nutrition in preparation for pregnancy. If you don't know how to plan your menu, start by calculating your calories based on your age, height, and whether you need to gain or lose weight (if any).
Try to find a place in your diet for honey and nuts (these products are indicated only for those people who are not allergic to them), and it is very advisable to include seafood and fish in your menu several times a week. In addition to the fact that they have a good effect on libido and the likelihood of conception, these products are also record holders for the content of vitamin E, which is necessary for the synthesis of sex hormones - progesterone (in women) and testosterone (in men).
What to include in a man's diet?
- Strawberries, pears, sauerkraut, peaches, celery, and dates are rich in zinc. It is needed for the synthesis of testosterone, which is responsible for the stimulation and maturation of sperm.
- Seafood is a valuable supplier of proteins, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium. The latter is involved in the process of spermatogenesis, and also protects sperm from the harmful effects of free radicals. Offal is also rich in selenium, but not everyone likes liver and kidney dishes.
- Chicken, turkey, and red meat contain proteins that are necessary for proper spermatogenesis and amino acids, among which L-carnitine plays a special role. Thanks to it, the number of sperm increases and they become more mobile.
What vitamins and minerals should a woman get from her diet when planning pregnancy?
- Zinc, contained in strawberries, peaches, and sauerkraut, is necessary for proper cell division, fetal growth, and bone tissue formation. According to statistics, 13–18% of pregnant women with zinc deficiency are diagnosed with pathologies of fetal development, in particular, curvature of the spine, cleft palate. If you do not have the opportunity to eat strawberries and fruits every day (some people are allergic to them), you can replace them with seafood or flounder.
- Iron is found in easily digestible form in red meat. Lack of iron can cause anemia, infertility, and poor functioning of the immune system.
- Selenium, which is rich in seafood, liver and kidneys, is needed to increase the chances of pregnancy.
- There is a lot of folic acid (vitamin B9) in legumes, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, and dairy products. Without folic acid, pregnancy may not occur. In addition, vitamin B9 deficiency threatens pathologies of the development of the nervous system in a child (dropsy of the brain, splitting of the spinous processes of the vertebrae). The Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences recommends consuming at least 400 mcg of folic acid per day. To prevent vitamin B9 deficiency, it should be taken not only before conception, but also in the first months of pregnancy.
- The record holder for vitamin C content is parsley. Broccoli is not far behind. There is also a lot of it in kiwi, currants, freshly squeezed citrus juice, and red pepper. Vitamin C is needed to convert folic acid into its active form; it strengthens the walls of blood vessels and participates in the formation of connective tissue in the fetus. A lack of ascorbic acid increases the risk of premature rupture of membranes.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is found in watermelons and turnips. Beef liver is also rich in it. Wheat germ contains high riboflavin content (they can be added, for example, to yogurt). Vitamin B2 prevents the development of pathologies in the fetus.
- The main sources of magnesium are cereals, legumes, and bread baked from wholemeal flour. If a woman is watching her weight, these products can be replaced with bananas, dried apricots, and broccoli. A lack of magnesium is dangerous - it is one of the causes of miscarriages and slower fetal development.
- Wholemeal flour and unpolished cereals contain a lot of vitamin B6. It is necessary for the production of amino acids, which are building materials for proteins (needed for the formation of cells in the child’s body). Vitamin B6 is also necessary for the proper formation of the nervous system and fetal brain. Instead of bread and cereals, you can include melons, peppers or kidneys in your diet.
Please note that one-time or occasional consumption of the listed products is not enough. They need to be eaten every day. This is the only way to ensure that the body receives the necessary micronutrients in sufficient quantities. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to create a correct and healthy diet, taking into account financial resources and time to prepare food. Therefore, taking vitamin and mineral complexes to prepare for conception appears to be a more reasonable solution. Such preparations contain micronutrients in the required dosage.
Thus, the drug Pregnoton has proven itself well, about which there are many reviews on the Internet (you can find out more about the product here). The complex contains folic acid, vitamins E, C, B6, B2, selenium and other micronutrients necessary for both the woman and the fetus in the first weeks after conception.
For men, to prepare for conception, the Speroton complex is suitable, which increases male fertility (information is contained here).
Remember that healthy eating is not the only important aspect of planning a pregnancy. You should also lead an active lifestyle, give up cigarettes and alcohol, avoid stress, and maintain a work and rest schedule.
THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISING. THE MATERIAL WAS PREPARED WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF EXPERTS.