PLUS,

 Get a FREE 30-minute consultation with Amanda Barnes, Licensed Dietitian!

Six years ago, I was preparing for my own wedding.  So I know exactly what goes through your head in those weeks leading up to your wedding day, “Do I look fat in this dress?”, “How can I lose a few extra pounds before stuffing myself into my spanks?”, “Am I going to get a gigantic pimple the night before?”, and of course my personal favorite, “I swear I’m not pregnant, it’s just a food baby!”

I know how hard it can be to have those feelings.  As we get older, maybe we aren’t working out as much, or that desk job is sucking us dry.  So I set out on a mission to put together these tips so that all my beautiful brides feel their very best on their wedding day. Luckily, I was able call up my fabulous friend and licensed Nutritionist and Dietitian, Amanda Barnes. She gave me these 5 tips to feeling and looking your best not only on your wedding day, but every day! And these tips are easy!!

She was also gracious enough to include recipes which will be listed at the bottom of this blog, to make feeling your best fun and delicious.

To make matters even more exciting, for my readers she is offering a FREE 30-minute consultation with her via video chat!! You will NOT want to miss this!! She will help you plan a health lifestyle that fits your individual issues, needs, and desires.  What could be better than that?! Your code to this free session and information on contacting Amanda will be included at the end of this blog.

Here are the 5 tips and tricks according to a Nutritionist, and I’ve added on things that have helped me as well!

• Stay Hydrated – Now this may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated throughout the day.  Since I am definitely on the struggle bus with this one, I do two things: I carry an adorable, reusable water bottle that keeps my drink cold even in the summer, so I’m fashionable and hydrated!  Second, I drink carbonated water.  This has been a game changer for me because I find water to be kind of…. bleh. You know what I mean?  So, I drink endless amounts of seltzer water. It tricks me into thinking I’m drinking soda, but really, I’m drinking water! My favorites are La Croix Grapefruit and Kroger Blackberry Citrus.  Look for brands that don’t have added sodium.

*Felicia’s Tip: Carbonated Water, Seltzer Water, and Club Soda are all the same thing.  However, tonic water has added sugar, so stay away from this! 

• Avoid fried foods– Fried foods are not only loaded with calories but can lead to gas, bloating, and are terrible for your skin. The sodium and extra oil will retain water, leaving you feeling weighed down, with less energy as well. Go for baked, steamed, grilled, or roasted foods instead.

*Felicia’s Tip: Try breading and baking fish or chicken for a delicious and healthier alternative to fried foods.

• Get plenty of sleep– This is a tough one especially with the stress of wedding planning, but it’s an important one. Here are some tips for sleeping well even when your mind is racing:
  • Try taking a magnesium supplement. Research has shown Magnesium can help people sleep. Also, many people are deficient without even realizing it.
  • Start meditating or journaling before bed. This will help your mind decompress by turning off the TV, laptop, or phone, so when your head actually hits the pillow you can fall asleep.  That light emitted from those devices keeps you awake longer.  And journaling allows you to get all those worries that keep circulating all night long onto paper.  Once it’s on paper, you can release it!

*Felicia’s Tip: Before bed, I read a book and drink a decaf chai tea latte.  I pick a book that is an interesting read, but also light.  This helps you focus on something else as you fall asleep instead of hanging on to all those worries.  It replaces the narrative in your mind.  For my chai tea latte, I take a decalf chai tea bag and I add some unsweetened vanilla almond milk and two tsp of cream.  A perfect creamy drink to help you drift off to sleep!

• Eat vegetables– This is something I say all the time, not just when you’re getting ready for your wedding day. Vegetables are low in calories so if you are trying to watch your weight eating vegetables is a great way to stay satisfied without adding extra calories. They also have loads of vitamins and minerals that will help everything from your skin complexion to your immune system so that you stay healthy all the way through your honeymoon.

*Felicia’s Tip: Keep some hummus on hand as a delicious way to eat vegetables like carrots, cucumber, celery, and broccoli.

• Eat Vitamin E– Vitamin E is a found in avocados, nuts, seeds and oils as well as in dark leafy greens. Vitamin E helps to fight oxidative damage and help to maintain immunity. It specifically helps with skin elasticity and healthy hair growth. It will give you that glowing, firm skin and long luscious locks!

*Felicia’s Tip: My favorite things to make that include these elements are avocado toast with arugula, sea salt, and lemon juice, and a salmon poke bowl with avocado, cucumber, green onion, and mango or pineapple. I also always keep almonds on hand whenever I get any bad cravings.

I hope these tips help you look and feel your best on your wedding day! But you are already beautiful and perfect just the way you are, and you deserve to feel like that every day!

To redeem your free 30-minute consultation with Amanda Barnes, go to her website at https://amandabarnesrdn.com/meet, click on “Book” under Individual Nutrition Coaching, and use the code “FeliciaSchumacherBride.” Happy eating!!

RECIPES for delicious, healthy eating!

Bok Choy Veggie Spring Rolls with Cashew Dip

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts and Spring Basil Martini

Healthy High Protein Breakfast Ideas

Basil Orange Spritzer