It's #NationalFrenchFryDay!

Next to #NationalMargaritaDay, #NationalFrenchFryDay might be my favorite #holiday.

I. Love. Salt. Who doesn't? Sadly, 90% of Americans take in more salt then they need each day, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The current recommendation is about 2.4 grams of sodium a day, the equivalent of about 1 teaspoon of table salt -- even less if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors. 

I know salt is not good for me but that doesn't stop me from celebrating #holidays and over-indulging from time to time. So when you've taken #NationalFrenchFryDay to the next level, here are a countermeasures to salve the salt-fest: 

HYDRATE: We all know that drinking 8 glasses (+/-) water helps your body function better, but water can help move the salt out of your system faster reducing the bloat and restoring much needed hydration. Drink up!

POTASSIUM: Counter the sodium intake by eating fruits and vegetables – like bananas, potatoes, and leafy greens -- that are rich in potassium and can lower sodium levels naturally

EXERCISE: Get your heart rate pumping for at least 20 minutes (and breaking a sweat) will help move the salt out of your system. Whether you hit the gym or the pavement, getting your body moving is a part of a great defense against salt-induced symptoms.

Be kind to the skin you're in <> Eat salt responsibly and enjoy #NationalFrenchFryDay! 

Want more? Visit us at habiderm.com.

You Are What You Eat

Did you know your diet can improve your skin health? 

People of all ages struggle with skin conditions like acne, sallow skin, cigarette damage, rosacea, dry flaky skin, wrinkles, and sun damage. Traditional medical practices often discount the connection between skin health and nutrition. However, there is strong evidence to support the influence of our food choices on the health and vibrancy of our skin.

Could your diet be damaging your skin? 

The healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look. The reverse is true as well: if you starve your skin of essential nutrients long enough, and it's going to show. “What you put on your plate is even more important than what you put on your skin,” said Grete McCoy, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified lifestyle counselor in Corpus Christi, TX.

Ensuring your daily diet is full of vitamins and minerals from fresh, whole foods is one of the most effective ways to improve the look and feel of your skin and achieve optimal skin health. 

“Making changes to your daily diet is not as hard or as expensive as you might think,” says McCoy. “I work with my clients to track daily activities like water intake, sleep and food selection and understand how a few small changes can make a huge difference in overall health and longevity." 

“Whether you use pen and paper or lifestyle apps like HabiDerm, tracking is a great and effective tool to help my clients be more aware of daily choices,” says McCoy. 

HabiDerm is a personal digital skincare assistant that helps individuals make simple everyday habits transform the look and feel of their skin. HabiDerm empowers men and women to make more informed choices and learn a thing or two along the way. HabiDerm's beta version is slated for release this Fall 2017. 

Grete McCoy is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Lifestyle Counselor with more than 20 years of experience in metabolism and diabetes, as well as a significant culinary background. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from Texas Christian University and a Masters in Public Health from Texas A&M University. She has trained at some of the top facilities in the country and gives lectures on diet and nutrition at national conferences. Grete works with all ages, from children to adults, through pregnancy and geriatrics. A mother of four, Grete believes that diet and exercise are key to longevity and wellness.