Salads are the go-to meal for most health conscious individuals, or for those trying to impress a potential partner on a first date. In general, salads are quite healthy. The greens are good for the body and mind and provide us with energy, antioxidants, and a full stomach, However, when we get the chance to make our own salad, we sabotage ourselves. How? Here are  few ways that we transform our salads from healthy to harmful.

Too many croutons.

For many salad lovers, croutons are a must. However, salad lovers hoping to use their love of salad to aid in weight loss, should steer clear of these crunchy favorites. Croutons are fried, making them extra fatty and full of empty calories that, if anything, should come in the form of extra fruit or nuts.

Extra servings of fruit.

Fruit, both dried and fresh, are ideal salad toppings as they provide a hint of sweetness. Fruit should always be measured and used with restraint, as it harbors excess sugars. Despite these sugars being natural, they are sugar nonetheless and can be damaging to your waistline. If you’re following a weight loss routine that keeps track of servings of fruit, fruit salad toppings should be kept in mind and counted towards the daily allowance of fruit.

Your salad lacks vegetables.

Majority of salads only contain lettuce and a variety of toppings. A successful, healthy salad, should contain much more than just lettuce. Not only will adding other vegetables make your salad look more appealing, but it will also help to fill you up. Try adding carrots, radish, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, or zucchini.

You add too much cheese.

Cheese is a popular salad topping, and many people who liberally use cheese on their salads think nothing of covering the entirety of their salad with it. Maybe they should, however, as cheese is known for its high fat content. Yes, it is healthy in moderation, but two salads a day, each smothered in cheese, is bound to add inches to the waistline. If you must have cheese, opt for feta as it is lower in fat and has a ton more flavor than other cheeses, meaning it can be used lightly and still provide your salad with great flavor and fun. Or, make a serious change and use cheese on every second salad you consume.

Dressings packed full of fat.

Very few people like plain salads without dressing, and most dressing lovers buy store bought dressing from the grocery store because it is convenient and tastes good. If you’re trying to watch your calorie intake, however, these dressings should be avoided as they contain a host of unnecessary fat, sugar, sodium, and calories. Try making your own dressing- there are hundreds of tasty dressing recipes online! If you’re looking for a simple dressing solution that can be whipped up in a matter of seconds, a light drizzle of olive oil can go a long way.

Aging is a natural process and there’s nothing wrong with it. However, in today’s society, there is a focus around slowing down the aging process. This is commonly done using chemicals, injections, and surgeries, but it can also be done through the intake of certain foods. Which foods? Here are 9 foods that fight aging.

Blueberries

Rich in vitamins A and C as well as an antioxidant known as anthocyanin, blueberries are thought to fight aging. Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from sun damage, pollution, and the effects of stress, leaving it to appear younger for a longer time.

Broccoli

This vibrant green vegetable is a powerhouse full of anti-aging properties. Broccoli is high in vitamin C, which is the necessary ingredient for the building and elasticity of collagen (the main protein in the skin). It’s also a good anti-inflammatory.

Nuts

Recognized for their healthy fat content, nuts are also great for warding off aging. Nuts are a good source of vitamin E which is essential to repair skin tissue, retain moisture levels, and protect the skin from the sun. Walnuts, in particular are good, as they even contain omega-3 fatty acids that keep the skin glowing and radiant.

Sweet potatoes

The rich orange color of sweet potatoes come from beta-carotene- an antioxidant found within the vegetable. Beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A which is then used to promote healthy and youthful looking skin.

Dark chocolate

Chocolate lovers will be over the moon to find out that their favorite dark chocolate bar could be slowing the rate at which their skin ages. Dark chocolate is full of flavanols that are said to increase blood flow to the skin, giving it a radiant appearance. Flavanols also absorb the radiation from UV light, protecting the skin from sun related damage.

Pineapple

Ideal for tropical smoothies and summer fruit salads, pineapple is also great for combating aging. Pineapple is chalked full of manganese that activates enzymes in the body that are responsible for providing amino acid. Amino acid is essential for the production of healthy collagen that keeps the skin looking bright, smooth, and elastic.

Watermelon

Treating yourself to a slice of watermelon before bad is never a bad idea. Watermelon contains lycopene, a substance that acts as a sunblock for your skin and protects it from sunspots, dark spots, and appearing withered. The high water content in watermelon also aids in keeping your skin hydrated and clean.

Carrots

A carrot a day keeps the sagging skin away, according to many nutritionists. Carrots contain tons of vitamin A, which is helpful for the regeneration of damaged skin cells and improved elasticity. As an added bonus, carrots can also be used to fight various forms of cancer.

Yogurt

Rich in calcium, yogurt is a great aid for battling the effects of aging. Yogurt’s high calcium content helps skin cells turn over and grow, allowing them to stay looking young for a longer period of time.

As a kid you were probably told that spending time outside was good for you. You probably also thought that your parents were making excuses to get you to go outside and play instead of making a mess in the house…this could be true, however, being outside IS good for you. It has a number of benefits to your health.

A clear mind.

The stress of everyday life – to-do lists, work, school- is enough to render even the sharpest of brains in a state of perpetual fog. According to research, however, interacting with nature for as little as one hour a day can improve our focus and short-term memory. This even includes looking at photos of nature scenes online!

Inflammation relief.

Scientific studies have shown that walking barefoot on the grass can reduce inflammation throughout the body. This is known as “earthing” and can be done on grass, sand, or soil as well. People across the world participate in earthing during the early morning or late afternoon hours.

Better sleep.

Spending time outside has been known to improve the quality and duration of ones sleep. This is what makes camping great for sleep- sleeping outside in a tent puts you close to nature and helps to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm, which, in turn, promotes a healthy sleep schedule.

Easier exercise.

Instead of hopping on the treadmill, take a trip outside and go for a run in the park or around the block. A study was conducted on a group of runners who went on a 45 minute run outside. Their results were compared to those who ran 45 minutes on a treadmill, and it was found that the runners who went outside felt less fatigued, more awake, and attentive. They also achieved personal bests.

Vitamin D absorption. 

Vitamin D deficiencies are particularly common among city-dwellers, as those we live in the city are generally less exposed to the sun, which provides  our bodies with the motivation to synthesize this essential vitamin. A lack of vitamin D can contribute to seasonal affective disorder, fatigue, and brain fog. To remedy these unpleasant symptoms, you can spend as few as 10 minutes outside- even in the cold, dark, winter months.

Cancer prevention.

In an interesting study, it was discovered that time spent outdoors may have a correlation to the prevention of certain types of cancers. Spending time outside- in large forests especially- seems to have a link to an increase in the body’s ability to produce cancer fighting proteins.  The increased levels are thought to last up to 7 days after the exposure to nature.

Reduces stress.

Spending time with nature has been known to lower stress within the body. How? Spending time outside lowers blood pressure, brings your heart rate to a calming level, and reduces the amount of the stress causing hormone- cortisol- that is released into your bloodstream. Stress prevention and reduction is important for everyone, but is particularly important for seniors and people with heart problems.

Everybody has had an acne breakout at some point in their life. Many believe that these breakouts are due to hormones and topical facial products, both of which are true. However, acne that is in certain, contained locations tend to have meaningful symbolization. In fact, the location of your acne is telling of the health conditions of other parts of your body.

In between the eyebrows.

Acne flare ups between the eyebrows are indicative of a liver that is working overtime and unable to keep up with the foods being digested. This is usually due to the over consumption of fatty, greasy food or alcohol, so if you find yourself breaking out after a night of partying, this could be why.

Cheeks.

If you think there might be a correlation between the air quality in your city and the acne appearing on your cheeks, you might be onto something. Cheek acne usually means that you’ve been in contact with polluted air. The acne in this area could also be caused by allergies or by bacteria such as the millions of bacteria that are found on your cell phone.

Chin

Chin acne usually comes about with the changing of the body’s hormones. This is why acne on the chin is so common among women when it’s time for their menstrual cycle, however, it can appear on a person of any gender.

Nose

Nose acne is generally caused by the production of excess oil on the face. This happens because the nose contains an abundance of oil glands in comparison to other parts of the face and body.

Forehead

An acne problem in the forehead area could mean that you’re sleep deprived and/or having issues with your digestive system. Pimples here are an indication that the body is having a hard time breaking down foods. Consistent breakouts in this are are worth a talk with your doctor.

Stomach

Very uncommon, but still a possibility, stomach acne correlates to blood sugar levels. A blood sugar that is too high can cause acne in this area, making it an important factor for diabetics to monitor when they suffer from high blood sugar.

Thighs and upper legs.

Covered with extremely sensitive skin, the thighs and upper areas of the legs are prone to acne that results from allergic reactions and irritation. Usually, the irritation here is cause by shower gels or soap. If you get frequent thigh acne, consider trying a different shower gel.

Hairline

Acne along the hairline is commonly related to pore-clogging makeup, friction from hats, and poor hair hygiene. Hairline acne isn’t as common as other types of acne, but is important to deal with when it comes up, as it can become a nuisance.

Pelvis

Pelvis acne- also known as crotch acne- is commonly associated with STDs. It can also be caused by underwear that is too tight, not breathable, or lack of general hygiene, but is generally indicative of an untreated STD. Pelvic acne should not go untreated.