In the whirlwind that is the lead up to your wedding day, what you eat could make the difference between a stressed bride and a happy bride! Frida Harju, In-House Nutritionist for the health and fitness app Lifesum has made it super easy by listing 10 top foods and nutrient packed ingredients with the properties that will revive your glow, boost your energy and promote a settled and happy stomach!
Asparagus
Asparagus and other leafy greens, such as celery and artichokes possess dieurtetic properties, which work to reduce bloating. Additionally, the high amounts of fibre found in asparagus will leave you feeling fuller for longer, preventing you from reaching for that late-afternoon snack, all of which make it a great food to eat before your wedding day.
Watermelon
Watermelon is low in calories and it consists mostly of water and the anti-bloating potassium. If you wish to try another melon opt for cantaloupe. Eat slices of melon as a snack or slice it into cubes and add it to a salad to fully de-bloat.
Bananas
Perfect if you had any salty food the night before – the high levels of potassium found in bananas will counteract with the sodium, making any bloating completely disappear. Additionally, the minerals found in bananas will keep the overall levels of minerals in your body replenished, meaning that you won’t get muscle cramps or experience numbness in your legs, which is essential during your wedding day!
Avocado
In the run-up to your wedding day, try adding slices of avocado to your salads, or your morning slice of toast. A known superfood, avocados are full of vitamins C and E, which work together to give your immunity a boost, as well as leaving your skin and hair looking healthy.
Tangerines
Tangerines are a great source of vitamin A and C, which not only help your skin battle acne, but also speed up the rebuilding process of your skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are much easier to manage with plenty of vitamin A, as it has wonderful anti-aging properties, while vitamin C helps you produce collagen, which keeps the skin supple.
Eggs
A perfect wedding day breakfast staple! Eggs are full of protein which will leave you feeling full without causing any bloating. Eggs are also rich in sulphur, which is not only good for your liver, but also great for increasing collagen and keratin production, which are responsible for healthy hair. Additionally, just like asparagus, eggs have a diuretic effect, which will further reduce any bloating.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes contain 65% of the minimum necessary daily amount of Vitamin C and have a very low glycemic index of 17. The best way to benefit from sweet potatoes is to keep the skin as it possesses healing potential with its high levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and high potassium content. The body converts beta-carotene into active vitamin A, which is important to maintain healthy skin, hair and teeth.
Salmon
Wild salmon is another great staple to add to your pre-wedding diet. Rich in omega-3, it keeps your skin looking healthy, as well as well moisturised. Additionally, the vitamin D found in salmon will help keep your bones and teeth strong in the run-up to the wedding.
Blueberries
Blueberries have been labelled a superfood due to their high levels of polyphenols, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory compounds that positively impact the nervous system and brain function, helping to combat memory loss and improve your mood, keeping you calm and happy.
Green Tea
In the run-up to your wedding day, you might feel like you need all the coffee you can get, but try and steer clear of it as it can stain your teeth. Instead, drink some green tea. The tea will provide you with the energy you need and the amino acids in it will help you feel less stressed and more resilient under pressure, giving you a feeling of purposeful calm.
TIP | Add lemon to your tea
Not only will it give your tea a refreshing citrus flavour to help you wake in the morning, but together with fat-burning green tea during breakfast, the lemon will work to increase the amount of antioxidants for your body to absorb – Boosting your immune system and leaving yourself less likely to get run down!
Bonus ingredient – Cherries
Struggling to sleep? Ever tried Cherry juice? Cherries or more effectively tart cherry juice twice a day (to be precise) has scientifically proven to increase sleeping time. Cherry juice is a natural source of the sleep-wake cycle hormone melatonin and the amino acid tryptophan. Not a fan of cherries? A couple of Kiwi’s before bed are also shown to have increased sleep time!
Foods To Avoid
In the run-up to the wedding, you should avoid certain foods that can cause any stomach irritations. These foods include dairies like milk, yoghurt and cottage cheese. You should also try avoiding foods that are rich in sodium, such as fast food, cheeses and carrcuterie, as combined with water they will leave you feeling bloated. Lastly, avoids foods rich in wheat, like pizzas and pies, as those can also upset the stomach.
Lifesum is a Stockholm-based health app with over 12 million users. Using tech and psychology, it creates a tailored plan to help you live a happier and balanced life. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, or just be healthier, Lifesum shows you how changing your small, everyday habits can transform your life!
