I believe health is a most important aspect of living a fulfilling life. I am not a model that starves in order to keep looking good - I love to eat! I get frustrated by the stereotype held in many people’s minds about how models stay skinny.  Granted there may be some that do have poor health and eating habits, but I eat the right things and stay healthy.  Exercise is of course important but I hate to say it, I slack off more than I would like to admit.  Having said that, my success is in my eating habits.

So what is my diet like you ask?  Well, first off I stay away from processed food as much as possible.  I do eat fast food, but not often.  Processed food actually includes store bought pre-made food as well, like the frozen burritos or frozen lunches.  I cook as often as I can and try to stick with fresh organics.  I also supplement my meals with things like antioxidants, essential vitamins, and plant enzymes.

• Antioxidants are substances or nutrients which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals as a by-product which can cause damage.  Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals.  Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore can considerably lower risk of serious health problems.  Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process.  Specifically, the antioxidant resveratrol may have the power to simulate a calorie restricted diet, increase lifespan and more.  Antioxidants also have the health benefits such as helping the digestive process by breaking down proteins, aiding with high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
• Probiotics are helpful bacteria that normally inhabit the human digestive tract. With these beneficial microbes, the digestive process is complete. There is also evidence suggesting that with out probiotics the immune system cannot function properly and lessens your resistance to infection.  Antibiotics generally wipe out this “friendly” intestinal bacteria along with the bugs that cause infection.  Symptoms of low or no probiotics can include diarrhea, cramping, bloating, or other digestive problems. Probiotics also help create a hostile environment for Parasites, Worms & Bad Bacteria. Digestive waste can sit stagnant in your colon for years causing you to feel bloated, tired, fatigued, stressed and can cause more serious health problems. Colon Cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the nation and taking a digestive health supplement with probiotics may be more vital today than ever before with all of the junk our bodies consume and breathe every single day
• B-Vitamin Complex influences several important bodily functions. Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) help the body produce energy and affect enzymes that influence the muscles, nerves, and heart. Vitamin B3 (niacin) has a role in energy production in cells and in maintaining the health of the skin, nervous system, and digestive system. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) influences normal growth and development. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps the body break down protein and helps maintain the health of red blood cells, the nervous system, and parts of the immune system. Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps break down protein and carbohydrates and helps the body make hormones. Vitamin B9 (folic acid) helps the cells in the body make and maintain DNA and is important in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a role in the body’s growth and development. It also has a part in producing blood cells, the functions of the nervous system, and how the body uses folic acid and carbohydrates.  Deficiency of certain B vitamins can cause anemia, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, respiratory infections, hair loss, eczema, poor growth in children, and birth defects in the fetuses of pregnant women.

I was diagnosed with anemia when I was younger and diabetes runs in my family so I became very conscious of my health even before I began modeling.  In fact, I began to lose weight as a result of healthier eating habits and that is what led me into modeling.  What if you could harness the power of antioxidants, all day energy, essential vitamins, rich anti-aging micro nutrients, weight loss, and internal health?  I hope you use the information I have given you here and have provided you with a link to the supplements I take in the left sidebar under “my favorite links”  In case you are interested in learning more, check out this link: Nutritional Health