Crazy crash dieting isn't the answer to being a bonny bride. Charlie Cottrell spoke to a nutritionist to find the top ten foods to get you glowing on the big day.
The prospect of a wedding day and starring in thousands of Kodak moments can turn even the most normal of women into Bridezilla. Many brides-to-be resort to crazy diets to help them slip into that perfect dress but according to nutritionist Gareth Edwards, you can eat your way to flawless skin, glossy hair and energy levels that will see you through the big day and the even bigger night. Here are his top ten foods to make you fabulous.
Eat your reds
Not the most delicate of fruits, but according to Gareth, rhubarb will make you gorgeous because it's packed with silica. "Silica is a non-metallic nutrient found in the stringy bits of foods and the pith of citrus fruits - it's great for skin, for shiny hair - basically it makes you good looking."
Crumble won't cut it though, so try this mackerel with rhubarb recipe instead.
It won't give you Popeye arms but eating spinach will plump up your skin like nature's botox. "It's packed with chlorophyll, betacarotene and magnesium which will help to keep your complexion fair," explains Gareth. "Green leafy vegetables make for healthy blood and the more blood you've got pumping through your capillaries on your skin, the less wrinkles and fine lines will show up."
Treat yourself to something a bit posh with our seared scallops on wilted spinach recipe.
You don't need to get married barefoot, hugging a tree by moonlight to reap the benefits of hemp. "Hemp oil is rich in omega 3 fats which mean healthy skin and hair," says Gareth, "Make sure you buy a good quality one from a health food shop and keep it in the fridge."
Hemp oil has an acquired taste so try two parts oil to one part lemon juice for a simple and health-packed dressing.
Crunch your way into that dress
The jury might be out on 'negative calories' but that's no reason to ditch the celery. "Celery is highly alkalising," explains Gareth, "and eating foods that are alkaline will make you lose weight healthily. Highly acidic foods like meat, chocolate, coffee and vinegars are punishing to the body so it will store fat to trap the acids and keep them away from your vital organs. Celery's stringy too, so it's another source of silica."
Chomp yourself slim with this stilton, walnut and chicory salad recipe.
More food from the omega 3 camp but if you're thinking instant mash favoured by 1980's robots it's time to move with the times. "SMASH stands for salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring. If you're cutting out meat but really hankering after protein, sustainable fish from unpolluted waters are a good option." Gareth says.
For inspiration, we've got oodles of fish recipes.
Eat nuts, don't go nuts
It's that magic ingredient silica again. Almonds are a perfect snack if you're ditching the Mars bars before the wedding. A handful will keep hunger at bay and keep your metabolism ticking over. They're alkaline to boot.
Spice up your nuts with this Spiced almond and sultana marinated chicken recipe.
"If you want your skin to look bright you need good 'intestinal mobility'," says Gareth delicately. This means flushing your system through and teeny-tiny alfalfa sprouts pack a lot of punch when it comes to removing toxins from the body. "Eating alfalfa is brilliant for skin. As well as cleaning your system, it's also a good source of vitamins A and E which are essential for skin linkage." That means less wrinkles, ladies.
Try sprouting your own seeds.
We're 'flushing' again people. Whole grains are fibre packed so will help with the elimination of toxins. They're also rich in B vitamins to give your energy levels a boost and our old friend silica.
"Ideally you want to be eating sprouted whole grains," says Gareth, "and don't just eat lots of bread. The processing of the grains and the addition of yeast isn't so good for the digestive tract and you could end up sluggish and bloated."
Avocado for glossy hair, a wet nose, vitality...
Dieters shrinking back in horror from fat-laden avocado need to be converted. "For healthy, glossy hair eat avocado," Gareth says. "Yes it's got fats but they're good fats. For shiny hair it's a must. Most Crufts winners are fed on avocado." There you have it.
Make sure you're Best in Show with this simple avocado with poppy seed dressing recipe. Replace the vinegar with lemon juice for an alkaline boost.
If you're fuelling up for a big day and a big night you'll need a lot of energy. Your biggest ally here is good old water. "You need to stay hydrated for energy but you don't need energy drinks, you don't need fruit juices. Water with a pH of 7.5 or more is all you need to look and feel good."
If you don't fancy getting out the litmus paper and reliving the highs of GSCE science, pH values are printed with the nutritional information on bottled water.
"If you starve yourself or take lots of caffeine or laxatives, you won't be in the right frame of mind to make the most important vows of your life - and crash dieting is categorically damaging to your health," Gareth warns. "It's supposed to be your big day - you want to look good not turn yourself into a boring stick."
Brides - get eating.
Gareth Edwards is a married man and a nutritional therapist at the Hale Clinic, London
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