Nourish the Skin You're In: Eating Your Way to a Healthy Glow
Has your skin been a little "off" lately? A little dull or maybe not so firm? Perhaps a couple blemishes? Billions are spent every year on skincare regimens to help keep skin smoother, firmer, exfoliated and glowing. Many of them do work- but it's only half the battle. The other half of skincare has to do with nourishing the skin, the body's largest organ, from the inside out.
Your skin and body want the best nutrition of all time. They don't react well to foods devoid of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. If your skin could talk, it undoubtedly would tell you what foods make it feel good and which ones don't.
In a very real sense, though, your skin does talk to you. Not through words but through its behavior. Redness, inflammation, beakouts, dry skin, and many other undesirable skin conditions can result from poor nutrition.
You may be confused as you read diet books and articles about nutrition as to what is good nutrition and what is poor nutrition.
Essentially, there are only four kinds of foods you can eat. They are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. For the best nutrition, eat these in a balanced way, not excluding any of them. Your body has absolutely no need for artificial foods, however. Artificial foods, which are created in the laboratory, are present in most processed foods.
Artificial foods include artificial sweeteners, trans fatty acids, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, artificial colorings, monosodium glutamate, and most food preservatives. If you can't pronounce the ingredient, most likely, it's an artificial food.
Here is a list of foods to add to your diet to get that
fabulous glow:
Water! Are you drinking enough? Skin that doesn't get
enough moisture becomes dry, dull and flaky! Get at
least 2 liters per day. Water improves your skin's
elasticity and flushes out impurities through the pores
that can otherwise become trapped causing breakouts.
Green tea! While the debate rages on about what green
tea can and can't do, one thing is for certain: green
tea is packed to the gills with polyphenols and ECGC,
powerful antioxidants superior to any other type that
occurs naturally, including vitamin E. These free
radical fighters improve skin with their
anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Smoothies and juices! Look for juices that are high in
carotene or make your own fruit smoothies using tropical
fruits such a papaya or mango! Like polyphenols in green
tea, carotene fights the free radicals that wreak havoc
on the skin.
Spinach, carrots and broccoli, oh my! Dark green or
orange veggies are also an excellent source of carotene
and should be added to your diet. Add fresh spinach
leaves and shredded carrots to a salad. Lightly steam
broccoli or keep some fresh florets around for dipping
and snacking!
