10 Foods to Eat Daily for Great Skin ...

Wild salmon one of the best foods to eat for great skin. Salmon is a wonderful food to combat anxiety, depression, and stress. By doing so, it lowers stress hormones in your body that lead to acne, primarily cortisol. Salmon also contains twice the amount of Vitamin D you need each day. Vitamin D is responsible for keeping your brain, colon, bones and heart healthy. It prevents depression, anxiety, colon cancer, bone disease and heart disease. Salmon’s healthy Omega 3 fats are also excellent for fighting acne, wrinkles and inflammation, while the protein enhances collagen in your skin to keep you looking youthful.

Spinach is an excellent source of folate, Vitamin E, iron, chlorophyll, plant protein, magnesium, fiber, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. VitaminS A, E, and C are especially excellent vitamins for your skin due to their antioxidant abilities. These foods also hydrate the skin and enhance your natural glow. Chlorophyll, which is rich in all bright and dark green foods, is a top remedy against acne. Chlorophyll is nature’s most potent cleanser found in green plant foods. By eating it, you are literally cleaning your skin from the inside out. The iron and protein in spinach also help to keep skin looking youthful and to maintain a healthy blood flow.

Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, fatty acids and antioxidants that promote glowing skin. Cocoa also relaxes the arteries, increasing blood flow that leads to healthy looking skin. For the best choice, choose raw cacao or choose cocoa powder for less fat. If you like to enjoy dark chocolate, enjoy 1 ounce per day and be sure to choose at least 80% cacao content to avoid added sugars and milk found in traditional chocolate bars.

Peppers are rich in carotenoids that help prevent wrinkles. In fact, one red bell pepper contains over 100% of the amounts of Vitamin C you need per day, in addition to being an excellent low sugar fruit. Peppers also increase blood flow to the skin, helping it appear more youthful. Peppers are also great to combat acne due to their carotenoids, which are antioxidants that help promote clear skin.

Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are all fabulous for your skin. The healthy Omega 3 fatty acids in hemp, chia and flax seeds are wonderful for fighting acne and wrinkles, and these seeds are also rich in protein. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are both rich in Vitamin E, selenium, protein and magnesium. Vitamin E enhances moisture in the skin, selenium keeps wrinkles away, protein helps build collagen to keep wrinkles away and magnesium, which relaxes your blood vessels, can lower your stress levels.

Green tea is a must-have “food” for great skin. Okay, so I know it is technically a beverage, but the tea leaves do come from a plant! Green tea is a wonderful source of beautifying antioxidants. It also relaxes the body and lowers stress due to a specific amino acid known as L-theanine. Drink 3 cups daily or more for best results. Even decaf is great if you don’t want to consume caffeine. Green tea is also great for your heart and your arteries by reducing blood pressure.

Another tea you want to become familiar with is rooibos tea, which is also known as red tea. Roobios tea is an herbal tea that is caffeine free, naturally very sweet yet contains no sugar, and is a top source of antioxidants. It is great for clearing acne, relieving stress and curing your sweet tooth. Sugary foods lead to breakouts by breaking down collagen, so implement some rooibos tea into your day next time you have a craving. I have a friend who swears by it when the urge to eat candy hits her! Roobios also tames redness and irritation in the skin that can lead to acne. It has a slight vanilla taste with a sweet essence that comes through and is one of my favorite beverages to enjoy before bedtime.

Papaya is a wonderful food, girls! It is excellent for digestion, low in fructose, and it is such a great beauty food! The beautiful orange hue of papayas, and all orange foods, is due to high levels of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a top antioxidant to combat acne. Papaya is also rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C may help protect skin cells against sun damage by promoting the repair of DNA that’s been harmed by UV rays that break down skin cells, which can lead to wrinkles.

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is an antiviral agent that keeps away infections, acne, inflammation and viruses. Coconut oil is also rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which are great for keeping your skin soft, moist, supple and wrinkle-free. I like to consume 1 tbsp. raw coconut oil per day, along with using it as my moisturizer morning and night, and as a body cream.

Celery is a wonderful beauty food! Most people underestimate this humble veggie. Celery is rich in Vitamin K that keeps your blood flow healthy and aids in reducing blood pressure. This lowers your stress levels significantly, and we all know stress can be a sure cause of bad skin. Celery is also rich in water, potassium and natural sodium. This keeps electrolytes even so you don’t become dehydrated. Dehydrated skin means wrinkles, dryness, and flaking that could even lead to breakouts.

There are many foods that can be great for your skin and many that aren’t. It is always a good idea to lay off junk food, too much sugar, refined carbs and trans fats for the best skin possible. Do you enjoy any of these foods each day?