Many of us hope to get that beautiful healthy looking skin by spending lots of money on skincare products, but have you ever taken the time to think about what you're eating? Glowing skin is not solely a result of topical treatments; it is a reflection of your lifestyle as a whole — your diet and your daily habits.
If you are a little lost on what easy to find foods are good for your skin health, this is the perfect read for you! To preface, there are obvious things you should avoid like, processed foods (i.e., chips, fast food, sweets, microwave meals), artificial sweeteners, high sodium foods and soft drinks. All of these items cause the skin to be more prone to inflammation, and degrade collagen and elastin, thus causing the skin to lose its elasticity and firmness giving the effect of premature aging.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of common superfoods that can easily be incorporated into your diet! Five essential superfoods I can’t live without are: citrus fruits, avocados, wild salmon, steel cut oatmeal, and wild blueberries! Now you may wonder...why are these beneficial to me?
Citrus Fruits are packed with vitamin C, a common ingredient used topically in skincare for its brightening effects to even out skin tone and to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our skin is naturally abundant in Vitamin C, but as we age, the levels of Vitamin C begin to deplete. The easiest way, and probably most common way to ingest Vitamin C, is through oranges and lemons. Who doesn’t love a ripe, juicy orange or a fresh squeeze of lemon in their water?
A few years ago avocado toast was all the rage! Avocados have become a staple in today’s society for their health benefits, but have you ever wondered why they are so beneficial to the skin? Avocados are rich in fatty acids, which are key to plump and glowing skin. Also, it contains lutein, oleic acid, and chlorophyll. This combo promotes skin elasticity and helps minimize inflammation throughout the body, including the largest organ, the skin!
If you love seafood, Wild Caught Salmon is the fish for you! Not only is it good for your health and a prime source of protein, but it is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids are amazing for the skin because they help boost collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in your skin that gives skin suppleness and structure. Again, as we age, our body’s ability to make collagen slows therefore supporting it through good nutrition is a no brainer.
One of my favorite breakfast meals is steel cut oatmeal because it's super simple to make and is very filling! There are so many amazing skin benefits of oatmeal because it is rich in fiber (beta-glucans) and zinc. Due to its high fiber and zinc content, oatmeal is anti-inflammatory and studies have shown oatmeal helps lessen the occurrence of acne breakouts. Remember though, instant oatmeal doesn’t count! Make it in a slow cooker or overnight and heat up in the morning. A favorite breakfast of mine is a warm bowl of overnight steel cut oats, small hand full of raw nuts and my favorite berries, topped with coconut yogurt…yum!
Speaking of berries, wild blueberries are full of micronutrients that support the skin and body and are easy to find in the frozen food section of almost any grocery. You can benefit from their phytochemicals like polyphenols and their high vitamin C content. Wild Blueberries are believed to increase antioxidant activity in the blood helping fight inflammation and free radicals, which damage and age the skin over time. Not to mention blueberries are jam-packed with Vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, which is a key ingredient in helping fight aging, acne breakouts, and maintains hydration.
These FIVE COMMON SUPER FOODS FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN are just a few examples of foods you can easily add to your diet.
- Citrus Fruits
- Avocados
- Wild Caught Salmon
- Oatmeal, (not instant)
- Wild Blueberries
Everyday we nourish our skin from the outside with topicals, but why not feed our skin from the inside? Not only will incorporating superfoods aid in glowing skin, but there are a ton of health benefits as well, it's a win-win situation!
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