It’s true what they say; you are what you eat. In our case, what your skin is. You may understand by now that the things you eat play a big role in your complexion. Here are some foods to remember when aiming for better and healthier skin.
Nuts– Provide a large amount of anti-inflammatory properties. I’m beginning to realize that the more anti-inflammation, the better when it comes to skin. Some nuts, like walnuts, have a very high level of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts have more than salmon! A handful a day is a great source of omega-3’s and protein. And they’re so convenient. The natural oils in nuts are the type of good fat that our skin needs.
Fish-For the same reason as nuts, fish play a large role is the quality of our skin. Especially oily fish like sardines. A great snack is sardines on a cracker with a squirt of lemon juice, olive oil and parsley. If sardines aren’t your thing, you can get great benefits from canned salmon as well. Just make sure it’s wild caught, not farmed.
Leafy Greens– Kale and spinach are my two favorite greens to eat. You can saute them, throw them in a smoothie, or eat them raw. So versatile and so tasty. Kale is full of vitamins including lutein and vitamin C. Lutein protects against UV rays, which causes premature again. Vitamin C protects against free radicals in the environment which can attack our skin’s defense of collagen and elastin. Spinach also contains vitamins C, K , E, and A; an anti-oxidant cocktail which can help the healing process of acne.
Chia Seeds-Resembles poppy seeds with no taste, you can add these seeds to anything from oatmeal to smoothies and they are full of benefits for the skin. Chia seeds are known as a superfood because they are the richest form of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. 1 serving is a tablespoon so in contrast with nuts, chia seeds have virtually no calories for those watching their weight. For hydration purposes, these seeds are perfect for the skin. When immersed in water, the exterior of the seed balloons up with water, allowing the body to remain hydrated longer than by drinking water alone. You can toss a tablespoon of these seeds in your water bottle and drink as normal throughout the day.
How often do you eat these foods?