Just like the rest of your body, your skin relies on a healthy diet to stay radiant and young looking. If you’re experiencing sallow, dry or dull skin, it might be time to take a hard look at what you’re eating. Chances are, you can make some healthy changes that will help. Other skin issues that changing your diet can help include acne, blackheads, flakiness or generally looking less than glowing. Make these dietary changes today and it won’t be long before you have the gorgeous skin you crave.
1 Increase Your Intake of Fruits and Vegetables with Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body, which is important because vitamin A helps keep skin healthy by boosting immunity and protecting against free radical damage. Your best bets for boosting beta-carotene intake are orange fruits and veggies. Try papaya, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are also good sources.
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2 Boost the Amount of Vitamin C You Get Each Day
You might think that a vitamin C pill has got you covered, but that’s not always the case. Most experts say that getting your nutrients from real food is better for you than getting them from supplements. Vitamin C fights free radical damage and helps blemishes heal more quickly. Oranges are an obvious choice, but kiwis, strawberries and blueberries are other prime choices.
3 Add Nuts to Your Diet for Vitamin E
There’s a reason that so many skincare products contain vitamin E. It’s because this nutrient helps promote healthy skin and fights free radical damage. Hazelnuts and almonds are your two top choices, but other nuts also contain some amount of vitamin E. Allergic? Avocados are also pretty high in vitamin E.
4 Check Your Selenium Intake
Selenium doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it assists other antioxidants and has been linked to higher prevention rates when it comes to skin cancer, sun damage and age spots. Brazil nuts are very high in the nutrient, but tomatoes, broccoli, eggs and fish also contain some selenium.
5 Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Water
Even being just a bit dehydrated can show itself by causing dry, tight and itchy skin. The easy answer? Drink more water. If you have to, carry a water bottle with you so that you remember to drink throughout the day. Foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, celery or cucumbers, also count toward your daily quota.
6 You’ve Got to Have Some Fat in Your Diet
Many women shy away from fat because they don’t want to gain weight, but the truth is that your skin needs some fat to stay healthy. You want to choose the good kinds of fat though. That means brownies and potato chips aren’t going to make the cut. Fish, nuts, seeds and avocados are great (and delicious) choices.
7 Consider Your Zinc Intake for Healthy Skin
Zinc is necessary for producing the oils that keep your skin hydrated, radiant and soft. You can find zinc in a wide range of foods, so there’s no reason to worry that your options are limited. Fish, red meat, chicken, whole grains, shellfish, nuts and seeds are all great choices when it comes to getting more zinc.
8 Whole Grain Products
If you aren't eliminating bread from your diet, always choose a whole grain product. There's even whole grain gluten-free options as well as whole grain options for pastas.
9 Protein Protein Protein
There's lots of different forms of protein but the best one to take in for glowing skin is eggs. Choline and lutein found in eggs boosts collagen making skin smooth and firm, as well as, preventing skin damage.
10 Cut out Crash Diets
Fluctuating weight can cause skin to sag, wrinkle, and lose vitamins. So instead of the new fad diet of the month, try balancing a healthy diet of good foods and save your skin in the long run from the damage.
Which of these foods are your favorites? Did you know they were so important for healthy skin? What other healthy skin tips can you share?
