By: Francesca Gattuso
If you’re looking for ways to improve the overall appearance of your skin, try focusing on food selection. Seeking out foods that contain essential vitamins, antioxidants and proteins can help you achieve supple, youthful, acne-free, smooth skin and satisfy your hunger all at the same time! Check out our 10 best foods for healthy skin and start eating your way to a glowing complexion.
1. Blueberries
Snacking on blueberries or topping your yogurt with the delicious berry are easy ways to work them into your diet. Blueberries are rich in fiber, high in antioxidants and contain vitamin A and C — all which protect skin from aging. Vitamin A is used in many acne-related medicines, skin treatments and helps fight against breakouts and splotchiness.
2. Peppers
Peppers are low in calories and are great sources of lycopene, helping keep your skin firmer. This veggie is high in vitamin C, preventing aging and creating youthful looking skin. Consuming green and yellow peppers also helps reduce the formation of wrinkles, especially around the eyes. The antioxidants in peppers decrease skin’s sensitivity to the sun and taste great raw, in salads, baked and stuffed or drizzled with olive oil.
3. Almonds
Almonds are usually classified as nuts, when the crunchy snack is actually a seed, making them healthy and skin friendly. It’s made of vitamin E, protecting skin from harmful UV rays and injecting skin cells with antioxidants to help prevent fine lines from forming. Almonds can also help reduce the appearance of whiteheads.
4. Sweet Potatoes
Want to smooth out your skin’s texture and fight off wrinkles? Then try eating more sweet potatoes! This starchy vegetable is high in vitamin C and necessary for collagen production. Not only will your skin be firm, but well moisturized. The beta carotene fights off rough, scaly skin that the winter winds can create.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli will help you maintain supple skin and aid in the production of collagen for firm skin. The green veggie also promotes skin regeneration and repair. Eat broccoli raw or boil and top with fresh garlic for extra flavor.
6. Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon improves skin pigmentation and texture. Consuming a fatty fish once a week helps preserve the youthful glow of your skin and decreases the development of precancerous skin lesions, a sign of chronic sun damage, by 30 percent. The omega-3s act as a barrier, protecting skin’s cell walls from sun damage.
7. Quinoa
Quinoa is a fantastic side dish or filling snacks. It’s packed with protein and amino acids as well as lysine, an essential component of building elastin and collagen. Eating quinoa helps build up elastin, protecting skin and maintaing youthfulness. Try it tossed with veggies and sauteed lightly in olive oil and garlic.
8. Avocado
Eating avocados provides your body with healthy fats, vitamins and fiber, helping to improve skin’s overall complexion while fighting aging. Many skin masks and treatments use avocado, but it’s much more effective to incorporate avocado into your diet instead of smearing the veggie on your face. Try avocado with greens or salsas.
9. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese contains selenium, a mineral that helps keep your skin looking youthful and dewy. While most dairy products aren’t ideal for healthy looking skin, cheeses and yogurts that contain essential minerals for fighting aging and upping your skin’s glow are healthy to eat in moderation. Top your salad off with cottage cheese or spread onto multi-grain toast.
10. Eggs
Repair your skin’s texture by eating eggs for breakfast. Egg’s compounds keep skin looking clear, combat acne and contain copper that ignites skin elasticity. The vitamin A in eggs prevents the development of abnormal clumps that can form into moles and skin tags. Don’t limit yourself to eating eggs in the morning and try adding eggs into your lunch and dinner meals.
Start incorporating these foods into your daily diet for your healthiest skin yet!
