Caroline Bienert knows food. As a nutritionist and author, she has helped countless celebrities, models, and even royalty find their correct body balance. A metabolism expert and an advocate of holistic healing, she creates tailor-made health concepts for her clients with the detoxification of the body in mind. With her knowledge ranging from Chinese food therapy to microbiological homeotherapy, she is something of a metabolism encyclopedia. We caught up with the Munich-based diet expert, who is now in Dubai to set up her practice, and delved into what makes a body beautiful.
How important is our diet when it comes to beauty?
Our diet is essential for our external beauty. A well-balanced diet leads to a well-working metabolism that leads to great looks and feeling good.
In terms of anti-aging, which superfoods do you swear by?
It’s very simple: go green. All green vegetables are wonderful body and health boosters. Eat them often and look for fresh vegetables and produce from organic farms.
I was once told that we should do a juice cleanse one day per week to shift the excess pounds. Any thoughts?
First of all, a juice cleanse must only be done with 100% veggie juices. Avoid fruit juices—they’re just simple sugars that don’t cleanse at all. As for a schedule, there is no right or wrong. There are benefits to doing a cleanse once a week as well for a full week–both will be very good for your body. It depends on how you can incorporate it into your daily routine and lifestyle. A whole week of detox takes a lot of preparation, so once a week might be an easier option for most working people.
Are there any shortcuts to looking more beautiful—a healthy helping of vitamin A or K?
The easiest shortcut to beautiful skin, hair, and nails is water. Choose quality, still water and drink plenty of it—preferably room temperature and from glass bottles if you can. In terms of vitamin supplements, every body code is different so you should consult with a specialist (doctor or nutritionist) to adjust your vitamin intake according to your body’s needs.
What foods would you prescribe for acne-prone skin as well as for dry skin types?
If you suffer from acne, avoid all acidic foods containing simple sugars and reduce your intake of proteins and carbs. Instead, eat lots of alkaline foods like green veggies. There is so much variety out there and discovering, cooking, and tasting new produce can be fun. Have veggie soups, smoothies, and juices. For those with dry skin, drink lots and lots of H2O.
In the Middle East, obesity levels are high. How do you go about encouraging a healthy lifestyle?
Well, motivation must come from within. It is very hard to be encouraged by someone else, but I try to inspire my clients with knowledge about their bodies, their possible transformation, their health, their future, and their well-being. Eating well is a lifestyle statement and decision. My job is to inspire, consult, and accompany.
Could you briefly explain your 7-day beauty makeover?
My “Ultimate 7 Days Beauty Makeover” is a fast and powerful program. It’s like a crash course to gain the maximum results for your body in a very short period of time. This treatment is often booked by actors and models who need to look good (and fast) for a special event.
What is your philosophy on diets? Are extreme practices, like the Raw Food Diet, the way forward?
I don’t have a master plan or a single dietary system for all my clients. I work on a holistic, very individual basis, and provide custom-made health concepts matching each of my client’s personal needs. I think of it like haute couture but for the body. Raw food might be a good way [to lose weight] but could also do harm if the metabolism is too weak. That’s why an analysis of the whole body is essential before food plans can be created.
How should we respond to food cravings and are there good alternatives?
People only have food cravings when they don’t eat regularly and without enough variety. To avoid craving simple sugars, eat more complex carbs, like whole wheat rice and pasta, millet, and quinoa. Also, eat three times a day and try to keep the same timings in your daily routine. If you eat healthy, green, and balanced, have some chocolate and enjoy it to the fullest. Life is about good foods and good moods.
What are your three top tips for keeping the body looking young and healthy and working perfectly?
1. Drink still water.
2. Eat lots of green veggies.
3. Be aware of what your body needs. Remember to live, love, and laugh—often.
