Prevention April 2020

I’M A LIST MAKER, and when I cross things off, I want them to be done. But here in the real world, nothing ever seems done—and I’ve learned that this can be a good thing. Case in point: Last year, the editors who work on Prevention’s books came to me, thrilled, with an idea: “Keto!” they said. “It’s huge, and we haven’t covered it!” I kind of shot them down: “We’re not into keto,” I said. “It’s not a very Prevention diet, with so few vegetables and all that fat.” I thought that was the end of it—until they came back with a new approach: “Healthy keto!” they said this time. “We swear it’s possible!” Turns out they were right, and the result is Healthy Keto (of course!), with more…

Protect the Planet—and Your Health The climate is changing, and it may already be affecting your health. Some changes may have a direct and immediate impact, such as air quality that can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies and make them harder to manage. But many are a slow crescendo, like warmer temps that can turn water into bacteria hot spots and weather shifts that affect populations of disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks. What can you do to protect yourself and our planet? Start by walking more and driving less, taking public transportation whenever possible and being mindful of how often you travel by airplane, lowering your energy use, eating less meat, and supporting initiatives that prioritize environmental protection and sustainability. JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Take part in Earth…

How do I know what diet is best? If we had to use one word to describe a healthy diet, it would be “balance.” If a diet is made up of mostly the right stuff—fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds, and water—then most else in genuine moderation would be OK. For example, the Mediterranean diet contains some saturated fat, but you can’t point to saturated fat as doing harm in this instance because it fits in with an overall balance of nutrients. “Diet” comes from the Latin for “lifestyle,” so it should be how you eat for life and not a restrictive two-week way to lose weight. I want to lose weight fast—is that a definite no-no? Short-term diets will cause you to lose both fat…

Start looking for niacinamide on labels: A derivative of vitamin B3, the ingredient has become a skincare star for enhancing radiance and evening tone. “It helps lighten hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the transfer of melanin pigment within the skin,” explains Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Prevention advisory board member. It’s also been shown to hydrate, and it won’t cause irritation, making it a great choice for those with sensitive or reactive skin. In skincare products, niacinamide is sometimes combined with ingredients that can irritate, like retinol, to minimize side effects. TO REDUCE DARK SPOTS PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum, $115, pcaskin.com TO BOOST HYDRATION Sobel Skin Rx 15% Niacinamide Gel Serum, $75, sephora.com TO FIGHT DULLNESS Olay Tone…

Eat almonds, look younger? Maybe. A study of 50 women from the University of California-Davis, funded by the Almond Board, found that consuming two ounces of almonds per day was associated with a reduction of 10% in wrinkle width and 9% in wrinkle severity in high-resolution imaging analysis after 16 weeks versus a nut-free diet with the same number of calories. Researchers hypothesize that the skin-smoothing benefits could be due to the almonds’ antioxidants and fatty acids, which may help nourish and protect skin. For the best benefits, aim to incorporate sugar-free almonds into your meals or snacks daily.…

SERVES 4 1 In a food processor, pulse 1 medium head cauliflower (head thinly sliced, stem roughly chopped) until finely chopped (re-pulse any large pieces separately if necessary). $1.89 2 Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet on medium. Add cauliflower, ½ cup dried apricots (roughly chopped), and ½ tsp each salt and pepper. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; toss with 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 Tbsp oil. $1.41 3 Wipe out skillet; heat 1 Tbsp oil on medium. Season 20 large peeled, deveined shrimp with 1 tsp paprika and¼ tsp salt. In batches, cook shrimp until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. $5.41 4 Add ½ seedless cucumber (cut into ½-in.…