Cosmetic/health niggles

[Gwenhwyfar]

I have dandruff, dry skin (KP and also peeling sometimes), spots, dark under-eye shadows (not caused by sleep deprivation).

I control the dry skin with very thick cream, the Palmers cream for rough skin used all over has been better for me than the AHA one that's supposed to be good for KP, but my thighs are still like scales.
re these things just my genetic lot or do you think it's down to what I eat. I admit that I don't have a very good diet and often barely get 1 of my 5 a day though I am mainly vegetarian and don't eat only junk food either.

So, my fault or not?

Just up your raw and cooked veg intake...simples!

You need to read a bit more widely. Or perhaps you're too lazy to do that as well?

Honestly - why did you start this thread? Did you just hope that everyone would agree with you and recommend a magic pill?

I started this thread to get other people's opinions. However, some of the things mentioned are ones I thought had been debunked a long time ago e.g. your fluid intake has to be from plain water. I suppose I read general health and science articles in the press and not beauty-specific ones.

Obviously if it's a choice between having a miserable no tea, no alcohol and no gluten life and dry skin and dandruff, quality of life will win out so I suppose I was hoping for an easier option.

Do you think I could drink hot water? One of the reasons why I drink tea is because there's air conditioning in our office, but I suppose I could swap some of my teas for hot water.

Yes good idea Gwen or you could stick a bit of lemon in it for added flavour? I agree with Kondo just go for some small changes, rather than a complete life style overhaul which you won't keep up.

Wouldn't the lemon make it too acidic and bad for the teeth?
Thanks for the motivation ILostIt, it's not easy being told I'm lazy just because I want some nice things in my life (though I accept I am lazy).

Surely having good skin is also one of the nice things in life?

And why would adding some more veg/salad/fruit not be nice?!

I think hot water with lemon in it would be fine - not enough acid in that to be bad for your teeth.

Where do you get your protein you need around 40g a day from what you are saying you don't get nearly enough you need more lentils, beans etc. I also add pea or rice protein to my smoothies and have vegan protein bars a couple of times a week. Do you feel tired if so up the protein.

Isn't it 7 a day now not 5?

If you don't like cooking get a slow cooker super easy just chop your veggies up add beans, spices and water before you go to work by the time you get home you have a cheap healthy meal ready.

Zara, I get my protein from cheese and milk. When I have soup for lunch it's the Saunsbury's three bean soup.

"super easy just chop your veggies up"

I'm afraid I'm never going to see that as super easy. It involves complicated shopping (as opposed to just picking something up), making a mess of the kitchen and creating washing up.
If I'm going to eat more veg, it has to be easy. I do have some packs of frozen veg I can put in the microwave and I buy those bags you can steam. I just prefer an omelette or something.
The other night I bought a bag of spinach in the reduced shelf for 10p and steamed it in the microwave, then added a bit of single cream and eat it on toasted thins. That's about the extent of my cooking.

If I find getting more than 2 portions of veg difficult, I don't think I'm ever going to reach 7 on a daily basis.

"Surely having good skin is also one of the nice things in life?"

Biwi, yes, but on the other hand nobody touches me. I have managed to get my hair nice to the touch through using salont-type conditioner, but it's a bit of a waste in a way :)

"why would adding some more veg/salad/fruit not be nice?!

I suppose I just prefer the kind of food I eat now plus I don't like cooking.

I would look at upping the omega oils or switch to flax oil if you wanted to. I take a fairly decent dose of omegas and notice the difference
Have you had bloods done at all? Wondering if you're deficient in something like vit D

Seriously chopping up veggies is too much trouble?!!

Hi hollinhurst, I take omega supplements. I cannot get an appointment with my GP at all and if I managed to, my skin and dandruff would be the least of my worries. I take multivitamins and am out every day and not tired, so I don't think I'm deficient in anything.

If you're having an omelette, have the steam veg with it
I'm not a huge veg fan and I'm busy and lazy
I put veg in everything. The easiest is to chop up courgette, red onion, cherry tomatoes and roast in a tray with some herbs or seasoning. Tip in a can of sweetcorn. Stick it in the fridge and add to meals.
Or put spinach in things as it cools down anyway. Cereal - chuck a banana or some berries on it

Thanks hollinhurst. I think small and easy steps are more realistic for me.