Food For Skin

How Are You Treating Your Skin?

Skin is the first thing people see when they greet you. It is also one of the hardest things to keep healthy. There are many factors that can contribute to a persons skin health, but I feel like the NUMBER 1 contributor is diet. What we eat most definitely effects what our skin looks like. There are a number of different foods that are best for skin and an even bigger basket of foods that are bad for it. In this post I wanted to simply share some foods that promote healthy radiant skin. (not in any significant order).*

Sweet Potatoes: these yummy little roots are not just edible during Thanksgiving and Christmas time. In fact they are very versatile in the number of recipes you can incorporate them in. Not only are they delicious but they are full of phytochemicals, vitamin C, and beta carotene (which is converted to Vitamin A). Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, it promotes skin restoration and can even help prevent wrinkles. Also, an added bonus, they are great for the digestive tract. And a healthy digestive tract will promote healthy skin.

Blueberries: These delicious little berries are full of antioxidants that help protect against free radical damage. Not only are they sweet to the taste but they also contain vitamin C, manganese, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients. These are great to add to a smoothie in the morning or grab a handful for a snack throughout the day. 

Lemons: This citrusy fruit is packed full of Vitamin C and citric acid which play a major role in fighting against bacteria. A great way to add lemons to your diet is by drinking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning. It is a great detoxifier and will give you a fresh start to the day. It is also helpful to rub lemon juice on your face once in awhile to clean out those pores and promote healthy glowing skin. 

Turmeric Curcumin: This wonderful spice is often times used in curry dishes. It has been known for it's great health benefits for hundreds of years among the Ayurvedic medicine. It is a relative to ginger and contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. All of which are essential for healthy skin. You wouldn't usually associate acne with inflammation but the majority of the time that is exactly what it is. This spice can be used in soups and so many recipes. There are even a number of different turmeric supplements. I recommend this one if you want to take a capsule of it.

Carrots: Often times known for their wonderful benefits for eyes, carrots are a great food to eat in order to promote healthy skin. Like sweet potatoes, these orange vegetables are full of beta carotene, which help repair skin tissues and protect against the harmful rays from the sun. They are great for a snack between meals and a fabulous addition to salads and many other dishes.

Pumpkin Seeds: These tasty seeds are great for the skin because they are full of zinc. Zinc is an essential mineral to promote healthy skin. It not only helps maintain collagen but it also encourages skin renewal. Pumpkin seeds are also great for a snack and can be added to many recipes for great flavor. (make sure to watch out for ones that contain a lot of sodium though!)

*If you do find yourself having major problems with your skin I would recommend seeing a dermatologist and a GI doctor. There could be more going on there than meets the eye! Also, I would suggest staying away from processed food, sugar, chocolate, and greasy food. All of which can cause breakouts. (And we know they don't help with that six pack either!).  And a number one thing you can do is drink PLENTY of WATER.

*please also note I am not a nutritionist or an expert in this field or the field of exercise (yet, though I am working on it at school) so all of this is merely just advice and my own experience. I am not a doctor.