We all want to live a stress free and healthy life. Here are a few simple tips on how you can have a healthy and better life. Read on to find out more...

Don't skip

breakfast

Fibre in the morning means less hunger late in the afternoon, when you're most likely to feel tired and gorge yourself on sugar. An early start on eating also keeps your metabolism more active throughout the day. The fact is that breakfast eaters are thinner than people who just rush out the door.

Taste the colours

Foods with bright, rich colours are more than just nice to look at. They are also packed with flavonoids and carotenoids, powerful compounds that bind the damaging free radicals in your body, lowering inflammation.

Pump up the Iron

Anaemia is quite common in women and to prevent this, it's crucial for women to eat enough iron. For good amounts of iron, include lentils, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and leafy green vegetables like spinach in your diet.

Eat your stress away

Prevent low blood sugar as it stresses you out. Eat regular and small healthy meals and keep fruit and veggies handy. Herbal teas will also soothe your frazzled nerves. Eating unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas boosts the formation of serotonin, another feel-good drug. Small amounts of protein containing the amino acid tryptamine can give you
a boost when stress tires you out.

Avoid fad diets

The secret to weight loss is not to avoid carbs, fats etc. The real trick is to lower your daily intake by about 100 calories. You'll hardly notice, but it'll add up to a loss of about 10 pounds in a year. Calorie restriction has been shown to lengthen life.

Load up on vitamin C

We need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per day and the best way to get this is by eating at least five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Oranges and guavas are the best source of vitamin C.

Grab some nuts

Nuts are among the best sources of healthful fats and proteins around. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help in boosting the brainpower. Half of a handful eaten about 30 minutes before a meal will also lower your appetite.

Fishy advice

One of the most helpful foods you can eat, or take as a supplement, is fish oil. Fish oil is beneficial for the whole body as it nourishes tissues and organs, helps in balancing the hormones and also promotes brain, cardiovascular, breast, and immune health.

For your bones

Get your daily calcium by popping a tablet, chugging milk or eating yoghurt. It'll keep your bones strong. Remember that your bone density declines after the age of 30. You need at least 200 milligrams daily, which you should combine with magnesium, or it simply won't be absorbed.

Go for tomatoes

Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They're also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups as well as in salads. According to the research tomatoes and apples can reduce your risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases. Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every alternate day.

Hit the sack

Seven hours of sleep a night not only helps you live longer, but also lowers your stress, sharpens your memory, and reduces cravings for food items. Sleep deprivation can also increase your weight by activating ghrelin, a hormone that will make you crave those comfort foods. So, set a bedtime and stick to it.