Don’t Tell The Groom! The Ultimate Bridal Diet

24 May 2013

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Super-clear skin, a slim tum, bags of energy and calm under pressure? We can't get rid of our pre-wedding nerves, but we can tell you how to look and feel your very best on your big day...

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Don’t Panic!
Let’s face it: as fun as all this getting married lark is, it isn’t half stressful. Give your nerves a fighting chance at staying relaxed under pressure with these foods that contain nutrients known to restore you with feeling of calm.
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Asparagus
Foods that are high in folic acid and B-vitamins can help us to feel less stressed out because they are essential components of serotonin: the chemical which lifts our moods. Green vegetables, like asparagus, are particularly potent sources. It’s also a great belly-flattener, so stock up and get steaming.
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Milk
A time-tested stress reliever, milk helps to restore a feeling of calm because it’s high in antioxidants, protein and calcium. In particular, the protein lactium it contains helps to reduce soaring blood pressure levels, while high potassium can relieve muscle cramps and spasms caused by feeling tense. And let’s face it: you are going to be feeling tense.
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Beef
Just in case you needed an excuse to eat steak for breakfast in the run-up to your big day! Beef is particularly high in B-vitamins, zinc and iron, all of which are thought to help regulate fluctuating blood sugar levels and stabilise your mood.

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Rice Krispies
Cereals, like rice krispies, are fortified with folic acid and B-vitamins, both of which are well-known stress combatants. Opt for sugar-free cereal to prevent fluctuating blood sugar levels.
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Chamomile Tea
Classic! But one that actually works. Try putting two-three bags of chamomile tea in hot water for five minutes and drink to combat creeping anxiety and trouble sleeping. Valerian root tea is good for this, also.
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Oats
Not only do oats provide you with slow-release energy, but they are packed with serotonin-boosting antioxidants and beta-glucan: a soluble fibre that has been shown to promote a greater feeling of satiety than other grains.
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Avocados
Avocados contain more stress-busting folic acid than any other fruits. They are also rich in vitamins B and E.

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Oranges
Oranges are potent sources of antioxidants, B-vitamins and other nutrients essential for serotonin production. So that calming morning Buck’s Fizz might have even more of an effect if you make it with freshly squeezed orange juice.
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Dried Apricots
Grab a hand of dried apricots to snack on during the day to combat anxiety. The fruits are high in magnesium, which is a natural muscle relaxant and could help you feel less tense.
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Walnuts
And pack in a couple of walnuts, too. Like most nuts, they are high in antioxidant vitamins, as well as folic acid, potassium and magnesium: all known stress busters.
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Clean Up
It’s the stuff of nightmares: on the morning of your wedding, you wake up to find a huge, pulsating, raging spot, bigger than your own head and probably worthy of its own body, taking up residence on the end of your nose. Make sure the little blighter stays but a figment of your imagination by stocking up on these skin-clearing superfoods.

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Nettles
Nettles get a bad rep for being a stingy garden nuisance, but taken in tea, capsule or soup form, you might be surprised to discover they have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to calm the skin and improve conditions like eczema and acne. They’re also extremely detoxifying, thanks to high levels of antioxidants which protect the body from the over-production of free radicals – chemicals which can cause damage to proteins, fats, carbohydrates and DNA in the body. Stock up on nettle tea from your local health food shop and see if it makes a difference.
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Artichoke
Regular consumption of these woody, fibrous vegetables has been linked to healthier skin, and in particular, improved skin luminosity.
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Alfalfa Sprouts
Tiny but mighty, each stringy sprout is packed with valuable, skin-clearing nutrients such as calcium, folic acid, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium and zinc among others, as well as supplying a full range of vitamins A, B complex, C, E and K. Who needs multivitamins when you can sprinkle a few of these on your salad? They’re relatively inexpensive, too, and available from most health food shops.
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Beetroot
They might stain your fingers, but the skin-clearing properties of beetroots are well worth the effort. The purple roots are particularly high in vitamin A, as well as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E, which is essential for epidermal health and healing. Combined, these nutrients make a powerful all-round body cleanser, helping to eliminate toxins from the body and lower cholesterol too.

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Fennel
If you’re not familiar with this liquorice-flavoured root vegetable already – get to know it. Aside from aiding digestion, reducing swelling in the body and helping to flush out excess fluids and toxins, it also works wonders for the health of your skin and hair, so pick up a box of tea or pick up a few roots for roasting.
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Water
Clear skin starts from within, and one of the best, cheapest and most effective ways to get there is to help your body flush out toxins by drink plenty of water. Not only will upping your fluid levels help to keep your brains fully functional and therefore better able to cope with stress, but it also replenishes water in the cells. Make sure you drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day, and drink more after exercise.
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Kale
Forget cabbage – kale contains a full range of vitamins A, B complex, C, E and K, as well as potent levels of manganese, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, protein, folate and phosphorus (phew!). We love adding a handful of kale into a soup with some of the other ingredients listed here for a real skin-clearing tonic.
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Garlic
Each clove of garlic is full of a naturally occurring chemical called allicin, which, when digested, reacts with the blood to create a product capable of killing off the many harmful bacteria and viruses your body might be harbouring – including that which causes acne and other skin infections. Couple this with a potent cocktail of antioxidants, and it’s almost unbeatable. To get the most out of garlic, eat raw, chopped finely into a salad or stirred into a meal before serving. But perhaps not on the day you actually get married.

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Burdock
Heralded for centuries as a healing remedy, this herb contains high levels of calcium, potassium and magnesium, all of which are essential nutrients the body uses to support healthy skin. It also has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties – perfect for tackling the spread of acne as well as digestive problems. Burdock can be eaten as a vegetable, but the easiest way to take it is in tea form. Most good health food stores should stock it.
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Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which helps to keep the skin firm and taut by aiding collagen production. They also contain lycopene: the red pigment which not only gives them their bright red colour, but also stimulates skin circulation.
Shine On
Second only to your dress (oh yeah, and the groom, we guess…) is your hair. Avoid lank locks and ensure your mane stays strong, lustrous and full of life with these nourishing beauty-boosters.
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Mackerel
If you want thick, full, lustrous locks, then eating plenty of oily fish is an absolute must. Apart from containing nutrients proven to improve brain power, they contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which prevent hair loss, hydrate the scalp and strengthen the follicles. Not a fan of mackerel? Why not try…

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Salmon
...Salmon instead? As well as fatty acids, fish boasts high supplies of iron and vitamin B12, both of which are essential to skin and hair health. Meanwhile, rich sources of protein and vitamin D – which you can also absorb from the sun – improve hair strength and prevent breakage.
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Oysters
One of the most powerful beauty-boosters on the planet are oysters, which contain highly concentrated levels of nourishing vitamins and minerals − including hair-strengthening folic acid, iron protein and skin-clearing selenium and zinc − for a relatively tiny amount of calories. Rumour has it they are a bit of an aphrodisiac, too. What? Just saying…
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Eggs
Don’t like oysters? Try eggs. As well as containing many of the minerals and vitamins oysters contain, they are also rich in biotin, which helps to improve lustre. In fact, if you take a peek at the label on the back of your shampoo or conditioner, you might just find biotin listed in the ingredients.
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Dark Chocolate
There are so many reasons you should always say, ‘Yes’, to eating chocolate – particularly if it’s the antioxidant-rich, dark, high-cocoa variety. Need another one? The protein, iron and B-vitamins it contains are fabulous for your hair.

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Green Tea
If you want a great head of hair, then having a healthy scalp is of paramount importance. Drinking anti-oxidant polyphenol-rich green tea will improve your skin and boost your beauty. As will applying it topically. Washing your hair with green tea or applying it directly to the scalp could help fix troublesome dandruff and add shine.
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Bananas
For a quick, lock-boosting snack on the go, make sure you pack yourself a B-vitamin and zinc-rich banana. Low in calories, high in hair-beautifying vitamins and minerals.
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Carrots
Also, reach for carrot sticks. The vitamin A they contain helps the scalp to produce sebum oil: an important fluid that provides natural hydration to dull, dry locks.
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Broad Beans
Beans contain iron, zinc, biotin and protein – an important building block for the hair that strengthens and prevents breakage.

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Blueberries
Gah, they’re just great for everything, aren’t they? Including hair, thanks to concentrated sources of antioxidants, particularly vitamin C.
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Trim Down
The last thing you want to be battling with on your wedding day is feeling bloated. Flatten even the most stubborn of tums with these super-slimming foods to rid you of retention. Try mixing in some toning exercises with your cardio, too.
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Papaya
Papaya contains a naturally-occurring enzyme called papain, which aids the digestion of protein. It can also help to break down food faster, easing bloating and flattening out your belly in no time.
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Pineapple
Much like its tropical cousin, pineapple boasts a digestive enzyme that helps to ease bloating, settle your stomach, and even relieve heartburn. It’s high in natural fruit sugars, or fructose, which could stave off sweet cravings.

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Black Pepper
A simple way to prevent bloating and discomfort after eating? Add a bit of freshly ground pepper to your meal. It’s a natural digestive aid, and helps to relieve bloating at the same time.
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Ginger
Ever wondered why your sushi comes with a side of ginger? The spicy root has been used for centuries as a digestive aid, because it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea and antioxidant properties. It also contains an enzyme called zingibain, which helps digest proteins.
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Cinnamon
A sprinkling of cinnamon could be all that’s standing in the way of you and those washboard abs. The sweet spice helps to regulate soaring blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production. There is some evidence to suggest that cinnamon extract also makes fat cells more responsive to insulin, which means they’re much less likely to hold on to excess energy, and far more likely to burn existing fat stores instead.
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Watercress
Watercress is jammed full of nutrients, including vitamin B1, B2, B6, C and E, as well as minerals manganese, carotene and potassium. This makes watercress a powerful cleansing agent, improving the digestion and nourishing the skin, while its diuretic properties help to flush out toxins and excess fluids. Watercress is also a fabulous source of iodine, which helps to boost your metabolism, so it makes sense to include it in your diet if you’re striving to achieve a flat stomach.

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Cucumber
Believe it or not, cucumbers are actually a member of the melon family, and therefore have very similar slimming properties. It is a natural diuretic, which means consuming it eases water retention and bloating in the body. Why not make a slimming watercress, bean, mint and cucumber salad for a powerful tummy flattening lunch?
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Chilli
Adding chilli to your food is a great way to boost your metabolism, which helps you to burn fat faster. A single chilli pepper also contains a full day’s supply of beta carotene (which is great for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails) and twice your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C – an essential antioxidant that helps to battle toxins and foreign bodies in the blood stream.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
If you’re looking for a quick fix body detox, try adding a few capfuls of apple cider vinegar to your meals. It acts as a digestive tonic, helping to slay off harmful bacteria in the intestines, flush out toxins and relieve water retention around the stomach. Add some to vegetables during cooking or as a dressing over salad.
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Peppermint
Peppermint is known for its potent healing and calming digestive properties, so if you’re looking to slim down your stomach, it makes sense to start including it in your diet. The easiest way to do this is to drink it in tea form, so pick up a box from your local supermarket (organic if possible) and try drinking three cups a day. Great for clearing the skin, too!

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Perk Up
Above all things, planning, organising and enjoying your wedding is EXTREMELY TIRING. Make sure you fuel your body with plenty of these to ensure you don’t suffer an uninvited energy slump on your big day.
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Ginseng
Endurance athletes swear by ginseng and often take it in tea or supplement form before a big race. This is because it speeds up the metabolic rate, enhancing their performance by giving them the extra energy they need to last the distance. Transfer this tip to your own busy life, and see if it helps you last that little bit longer.
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Oats
Eating a portion of oats in the morning for breakfast as part of a low calorie diet is a great way to provide your body with slow-release, natural energy throughout the day. This can lower your cholesterol and help to maintain a healthy metabolic rate.
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Almonds
Almonds are packed with skin-nourishing vitamin E and protein, as well as being a great source of energy. So skip the sugary foods and snack on a small handful when you’re feeling lethargic instead.

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Brown Rice
Brown rice and other wholegrain cereals can aid weight loss as a source of slow-release energy, which keeps you satisfied for longer. Each grain is packed with B vitamins and protein too.
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Lentils
As well as containing high levels of protein and complex carbohydrates, lentils are a good source of the mineral molybdenum, which can help to maintain active energy levels.
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Spinach
Spinach offers great health benefits for the body, and is a fantastic source of antioxidants, potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B (particularly good for boosting energy levels) and vitamin C. It’s also low in calories and high in fibre, which helps to curb cravings and keep sugar levels on an even keel.
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Dates
Adding a couple of dates to your diet is a great way to boost your vitality. Each fruit is packed with iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium, as well as energising B vitamins and anti-inflammatory tannins. Oh, and fibre, natural sugars, proteins… Need we go on?

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Parsnips
Parsnips are high in soluble fibre, which helps to lower cholesterol and keep energy resources ticking along steadily. They contain a wealth of vitamins and minerals too, including folic acid and vitality-boosting B vitamins. They’re also relatively low in calories, so ditch the roast spuds and opt for parsnips instead.
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Sweet Potato
Complex carbohydrates that are full of fibre are a source of basic, steadily-burned energy for the body, which can help to regulate our blood sugar levels and keep us feeling fuller for longer. Sweet potatoes are particularly good because, as well as the above, they also contain energising vitamin B.
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Guarana
Noticed this ingredient lurking in your energy drinks? It’s actually extracted from the seeds of a plant that grows in the Amazon rainforest. Each tiny husk contains twice the amount of caffeine as coffee beans do, as well as other vitamins and minerals. For a quick, emergency fix, drink in herbal tea or take in capsule form.
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Recover Fast
We’re being a little presumptuous, perhaps. But here’s predicting you might be the unlucky recipient of the world’s largest hangover the day after your wedding. Minimise the damage with these ultimate cures, and prevent it from occurring in the first place, too.

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Fruit Juice
After drinking excessively, your blood sugar levels will probably be taking a nose dive, dragging a whole bunch of hangover symptoms with them on their way down. Try slurping some fruit juice. Not only will it provide you with natural sugars, but it will replace some of the electrolytes you’ve lost and give you a hefty dose of vitamins in the process. Apple or cranberry is better than orange, though, as they're slightly less acidic and kinder on that delicate tum.
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Gherkins
Too much booze leaves the body depleted of vitamins, minerals and salt. Gherkins are rich in nutrients including vitamin A, iron, potassium, vitamin K, calcium and manganese, so, though it might sound strange, eating a few gherkins might actually help you get over the worst of it.
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Tinned Tuna
Weird, we know, but mineral-rich foods like tinned tuna are great for replenishing depleted nutritional supplies in the body that cause hangover symptoms. If you can stomach it.
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Wholegrain Bread
We don’t know about you, but carbs like bread are top of our list when it comes to hangover cravings. And there may be a good reason for it, too. Wholegrain breads in particular are a great source of detoxifying B vitamins, as well as essential fatty acids needed to help the liver heal your body.

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Beans
Beans on toast! Yes! We love this hangover cure. Beans are a great source of fibre and folic acid, as well as protein to aid the body’s recovery. Just go for a reduced salt and sugar variety to maximise on healthiness.
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Olive Oil
Olive oil slows the absorption of alcohol, while consuming foods rich in vitamins B and C may limit nutrient loss later on, too. It can also keep you feeling fuller, and less likely to drink so much.
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Mushrooms
Another staple fry up food in prime hangover-curing action! Mushrooms are a great source of selenium, which is particularly great due to its antioxidant powers. They are also packed with B vitamins, which support the liver by aiding the detoxification processes.
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Cayenne Pepper
Don’t be fooled by food that could potentially cause your mouth some spicy discomfort - hot cayenne pepper is actually a natural pain reliever, so could prove a pretty useful ally when tackling a tricky-to-shift hangover headache. Hot foods boost the metabolism, too, so could help to speed up the body’s natural detoxification process.

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Raw Cabbage
Legend has it that the combination of lactic acid, vitamins and minerals in raw cabbage makes a pretty mean headache cure. So think about that before you ditch the coleslaw side.
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Honey
Got a sweet tooth? This may just be the perfect hangover remedy for you. Honey is bursting with curing potassium and toxin-battling antioxidants, as well as fructose to replace the sugars lost from your depleted brain after all that alcohol consumption. For the ultimate cure, spread some on a slice of wholemeal toast.