What Do We Mean By 'Skin Food'?
We all know that we are what we eat, but nowhere do the results of this show up more obviously than in the largest organ of the body; our skin! Now we’re firmly into the colder seasons with harsh icy winds and drying heating, we need to take extra care of our skin. But before splurging on the latest ‘miracle cream’, invest your time and money in eating right and improving your digestive health.
It might not seem glam, but beautiful glowing skin begins in the gut! Give your skin a boost with these by incorporating these nourishing foods…
Power up the Protein
Good quality plant proteins are exactly what the body needs to build Collagen Elastin. Collagen is the most common protein found in your body, it forms the connective tissues which give skin it’s texture and suppleness. Loss of collagen is a visible sign of ageing, and so having a diet rich in proteins is super important for maintaining a youthful appearance! Go for beans, peas, lentils chickpeas, tofu, nuts and seeds.
Friendly Carbs
Carbs have an unfair reputation, if you opt for complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potato and pulses then you carbs are your friend! Complex carbs are ‘low GI’ which means they are digested slowly, and so the sugar is released into your bloodstream more slowly. This helps to maintain stable insulin levels meaning you’ll be less likely to reach for a sugary snack. Sugar laden foods damage the skin’s collagen as the sugar molecules stick to the collagen fibres making them less effective. This leads to wrinkles and sagging of the skin. Fill up on sweet potato, oats, beans, lentils, peas and green vegetables. Complex carbs for the win!
Good Fats
Fats are a bit of a contentious topic largely due to confusion over which are good or bad. Some fats known as ‘Essential Fatty Acids’ are an essential part of a healthy diet, and to the proper functioning of our whole body. These EFA’s are grouped into Omega’s 3 and 6; Omegas 3 and 6 are really important for skin health as they work to hydrate cells and repair cell membranes restoring the skin’s barrier and locking in moisture. Their natural anti-inflammatory effect also helps to calm redness and heal blemishes.
Nourishing oils are hemp seed oil, evening primrose oil, flax seed oil and avocado oil. They are great to add into smoothies for a natural skin-boost.
Go Nuts!
When eaten in their natural unprocessed form, brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, pumpkin and sunflower seeds also provide a rich source of Omega 3 and 6. Brazil nuts are also rich in zinc and selenium which are essential minerals for calming redness and repairing the skin.
Anti-Inflammatory Spices
Turmeric, garlic and ginger aren’t just tasty ingredients for your cooking, but also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties – great for healing damaged or frazzled skin. Turmeric, the spice of the moment, has been used in Ayurvedic practices for centuries to even out skin tone and pigmentation. Garlic is rich in anti-inflammatory sulphur which is great for clearing up blemishes.
Increasing your uptake of these awesome spices will help you achieve a smooth and balanced complexion, reducing the amount of skin products you need to get your skin looking flawless and glowing!
Purple Beauty Berries
Dark pigment rich purple fruits such as blackberries, black cherries and blueberries contain anthocyanins. These compounds are particularly skin-friendly due to the high levels of antioxidants they contain. Juices and smoothies open up a whole new world of nutritious, skin-friendly treats. Add berries to your smoothies and desserts to load up on even more skin boosting nutrients.
If you’re eating a balanced diet full of these nutrient rich foods you will be feeding your skin from within and glowing in no time!