‘Good-Skin’ Foods

by Amanda Russell

Skin is the body’s largest organ, thus maintaining a healthy body means promoting healthy skin! Not to mention, great skin has a huge impact on how you look and feel!
One of the most direct ways to achieve great looking skin is by eating a healthy diet. Here are some easy foods to incorporate into your diet to help you achieve beautiful looking skin.

DRINK… at least 8 glasses of water a day, staying hydrated will keep skin looking smooth and clear. When the body is dehydrated, it interrupts the natural cycle of shedding dead skin cells, which results in irritated and clogged pores.
Incorporate lots of fresh orange, red and dark green vegetables into your diet. Vegetables like spinach,kale, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots and sweet potatoes are excellent sources of Vitamin A and Beta Carotene,  which will keep skin looking bright and smooth and even help protect skin from the sun.

FRESH FRUIT, especially citrus fruits. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes, are some of the highest fruit sources for Vitamin C and antioxidants. Additionally berries, like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries etc are another great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that fight free radicals and will aid to the production of collagen, and keep skin youthful and taut.

Go NUTS…and seeds, especially, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. These nuts and seeds are full of vitamin E and antioxidants that will keep skin soft and youthful. Just don’t overdose as they can be high in calorie. I try to stick with 10-15 nuts per serviing. 
 

Incorporate more SEAFOOD, especially richer, fattier options, suchas salmon and oysters. Fatty seafood is full of omega 3 fatty acids and zinc, which will help keep skin smooth, clear and glowing (bonus, it also helps contributes to healthier, stronger hair).

Incorporating these ‘Good Skin Foods’ into your diet will not only make your skin healthy and fresh, it will contribute to a healthier body as well! So eat, drink and be happy!