Amy Mia Goldsmith is an Australian personal trainer and an editor at Ripped.me fitness blog.  She has a degree in nutrition and her goal is to teach people to live a healthy, happy life.  I’ve spotted her articles on a couple blogs in the past and fell in love with her positive spirit and incredible wealth of knowledge.  And with Spring coming up, it’s the perfect time to spread her smarts!  If you’re interested, you can contact Amy on her Facebook page.

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the number one trend this year. Besides exercising and taking care of your beauty, you need to power up your diet a bit to be in top notch condition. With the spring just around the corner, there are several superfoods that you should incorporate into your life starting today. Among several benefits, these foods can greatly improve your mood, energy, skin, and speed up your metabolism.

Walnuts

All nuts and seeds are good for your metabolism and can have positive effects on your mood, but walnuts are the leading nut. They are filled with tryptophan which is an amino acid that encourages your body to create a chemical of happiness, serotonin. Besides making you happy, walnuts are packed with various nutrients, such as fiber, melatonin, magnesium, potassium, protein, vitamins B6 and E and many others. Also, walnuts can lower your blood pressure, reduce the risks of getting cancer and diabetes and can help you fight depression. Do not hesitate to start eating these jolly fellows and make your life super healthy.

Asparagus

Another healthy herb that can boost your mood is asparagus. This veggie is filled with folate, a vitamin B that is important for production of serotonin and norepinephrine. Also, because it is rich in vitamins A, K, C, and E it can help you prevent diabetes, and because of glutathione it can help break down the carcinogens. What is more, asparagus has anti-aging abilities, because it is packed with antioxidants which can neutralize cell-damaging radicals, and slow down the aging process. And to top it all off, it is delicious, it can be prepared with nearly anything and it is easily digestible.

Spinach

By eating plenty of spinach, like Popeye does, you will be filled with energy and ready for action. Its tasty green leaves are a great source of iron, which is of utmost importance for red blood cells that power your body. Incorporating spinach into your diet this spring is a must, especially if you do not eat meat, in order to supply your muscles with enough energy. This strong veggie is simple to prepare and you can mix it with practically anything. But certainly, it is the most delicious when in a healthy green smoothie! Also, spinach is an excellent source of vitamins C, K and A, as well as manganese, magnesium and folic acid.

Legumes

According to many nutritionists, beans are your best buddies when it comes to losing weight. The reason they can drop your pounds is that your body really has to make an effort to break down a bean and get through to the fiber, so it spends lots of energy to digest it. By incorporating legumes into your diet you are helping your body regulate the levels of cholesterol, thus reducing risks of getting any heart diseases. What is more, beans and legumes can trick your brain into feeling full for a longer period of time, thus reducing your weight once again.

Salmon

If you are troubled by pesky wrinkles, you do not have to pay a fortune for Botox injections and cosmetic surgery. A much healthier solution is right in front of you: Salmon! This tasty fish is rich in a fatty acid that is a type of omega-3. These ingredients are great helpers when it comes to blocking UV-induced enzymes that can diminish collagen and eventually cause your skin to sag and wrinkle. Additionally, omega-3 regulates the production of skin oils, which can restore natural moisture and elasticity to your skin and reduce the risk of getting acne and other nasty imperfections. If you do not like fish, do not forget to take natural calcium as it is beneficial for your bones, hair and overall health.

As you can see, without these superfoods you could be in serious trouble. Make a healthy decision and fill your fridge with this spring’s most delicious foods and work on every aspect of your health.

Create a great life!