How many times have you heard the saying “you are what you eat”? Well, it’s true! An unhealthy diet can harm your metabolism, cause weight gain, and even damage organs, such as your heart and liver. Don’t get all cushy now you’re at home dying of boredom. Invest in looking after yourself, not by comfort-eating like most of us did in lockdown number 1 but by allocating a chunk of time for healthy meal plans and prep . Note, an unhealthy diet can even damage and age your looks too!
Take a look at my personal 5 most favourite foods for keeping skin healthy.
- Salmon
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which have the ability to lower inflammation in your body, controlling acne. They can even make your skin less sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays as well as keeping it thick, elastic and moisturized. In actual fact, an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can cause dry skin. Salmon is also a good source of high quality protein, vitamin E, and zinc.
- Avocados
Avocados generally have a reputation for being high in fat, but they’re the healthy kind of fat (from monounsaturated fatty acids) this velvety fruit is rich in vitamins and powerful antioxidants. They are affluent in vitamins E & C – the important antioxidants that help protect your skin from oxidative damage as well as protecting it from sun damage resulting in supple and springy skin!
“Healthy skin starts from within”
- Walnuts
Walnuts are your ideal food for healthy skin since they are packed with fatty acids, which are fats that your body cannot make itself. From all the nuts they are probably the richest in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids both of which are helpful in fighting inflammatory skin conditions. They also contain other nutrients such as Zinc, which is essential for your skin to function properly as a barrier. Walnuts are also necessary for wound healing and combating both bacteria and inflammation.
- Pomegranate
Pomegranates are a superfood containing almost 48% of the daily vitamin C and other antioxidants such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and tannins. They assist with cell regeneration helping the epidermis and dermis by increasing circulation and healing the skin, supporting tissue repair and wound healing. They also have sun protective compounds that protect the skin against free radical damage, help prevent skin cancer, relieve sunburn and reduce the signs of sun damage. And finally they protect against premature aging by helping reduce the signs of skin aging caused by sun damage and exposure, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Pomegranates also help prevent hyperpigmentation and age spots.
“Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle” -Erno Laszlo
- Broccoli
Broccoli is not only my favourite green but it is also a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C and minerals such copper and zinc which are all important for skin health. Broccoli is full of vitamin K, amino acids and folates, making it ideal for maintaining healthy skin immunity.
So now is the time (more than ever) to make sure you’re getting enough vital nutrients to safeguard your skin in order to stay strong, in shape and ready to bounce back better than ever!
‘Till next time…
