What Makes Up The Healthy Skin Diet?
Are you incredibly careful about what you put on your skin? Perhaps you buy the richest lotions and diligently apply sunscreen each day.
What you put on your skin is certainly important. But have you considered that what you put IN your body is just as important as what you’re putting ON your body.
As the largest organ in the body, the skin is impacted by just about everything you do. Even stress affects your skin! So to keep it performing optimally, stick with the healthy skin diet we’ve outlined below.
- Eat Five-a-Day For Better Health
By now, you’ve probably heard of free radicals. They’re the natural products of human metabolism, sun exposure, and certain lifestyle choices. And they’re not your friends.
Free radicals create oxidative stress which has a starring role in skin aging. One of the best defenses against free radicals are antioxidants. And fruit and vegetables are loaded with with antioxidants like betacarotene and lutein. So making sure you get five servings a day is going to give you a big advantage.
Many fruits and vegetables have vitamin C which is also good for helping the skin fight wrinkles. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and kiwis are great sources.
- Avoid Processed Foods
So while you’re learning to enjoy more fruits and vegetables, you can swap out some processed foods, refined sugars, and foods with a high glycemic index for them.
Consuming dairy, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats increases inflammation in the body that can negatively impact your skin including irritation, breakouts, and faster aging.
- Stay Hydrated
There are so many reasons to stay hydrated. Drinking six to eight glasses of fluid per day will help keep your skin from getting dry and dull. Water is the best choice, but caffeine-free and herbal teas count too. There are even certain fruits (watermelon, anyone!?) and vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber that contribute fluid. Plus, they offer minerals as well.
- Load Up On Vitamin E
Some folks rub vitamin E directly onto their very dry skin. But pure vitamin E is not exactly practical as a daily treatment. So you can get it from your foods instead.
Vitamin E is another antioxidant and some of the best food sources are almonds and sunflower seeds. Which is convenient because they travel well.
- Prioritize Omega-3s
We’ve been told forever the health benefits of fish. That’s because of the omega-3 fatty acids which improve cholesterol and counteract inflammation. But they also help to preserve collagen and keep it firmer and more supple.
Some fish are richer in omega-3s than others. Mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna and herring top the list.
If you’re vegetarian, no need to lament. Plant-based options for omega-3 include chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds, and edamame.
- Don’t Forget the Polyphenols
In case you’re unfamiliar, polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that are found in a variety of foods including grapes, tea, coffee, and (fortunately) dark chocolate.
Polyphenols such as anthocyanin, flavonoids, resveratrol, and phenolic acid can reduce rough texture on the skin and even protect against sun damage.
- Skip the Crash Diet
Finally, if you’re addicted to taking off weight with the latest fad diet each time you put on a little weight, it’s time work for a more steady and balanced diet. The losing and regaining weight cycle is hard on the skin and can cause wrinkles, sagging, and stretch marks. Plus they rob you of essential vitamins and minerals.
Your best bet? Treat your skin kindly by eating a diet with lean meats and plant-based foods, while reducing processed food and alcohol. You’ll be amazed what a difference this can make.
Consider the Healthy Skin Diet
Once you start the healthy skin diet, you’ll feel better overall. But if you’re still unhappy with the state of your skin or changing your diet hasn’t quite done the trick, then contact us.
We have a full line of skincare products that can supplement your diet and healthy lifestyle to rejuvenate and brighten your skin. Get out there and shine!
