Eat These Foods if You Want Glowing Skin
When you think of dieting, chances are restriction comes to mind.
But if your main diet goal is to get glowy skin, there’s great news: you can actually eat more.
Not more junk. But more foods that will make you look healthy instead of stressed, tired, or hungover.
As a skin obsessive, I can testify that adding more fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fats to your diet really will make your skin look better in ridiculously short amounts of time. There’s not a skin cream on the market that can replicate what a diet full of veggies will do. Trust me, I’ve tried them all, not to mention a vampire facial. I know I sound like a mom right now, but it’s true: sticking needles in your face will never make you glow the way a good diet will.
Of course, if you keep eating junk, the benefits won’t be as huge. If you really want to up the ante, you might want to also cut out some of the foods that can aggravate skin issues. Depending on how your body processes things, you might want to avoid gluten, dairy, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol for the full effects to take place. Read Nigma Talib’s “Younger Skin Starts in the Gut” for more deets on that.
But for now, here’s what to add to your diet — besides water, which, duh — if you want to look like just got a facial every day. When it doubt, just remember this: it’s all about the antioxidants and healthy fats.
READ ALSO: 16 Celebs Who Swear Water’s Their Best Beauty Secret
1. Sweet potatoes and other orange foods
No, this doesn’t include Cheetos. But naturally orange foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, and duh, oranges, are full of beta carotene. Allow the Telegraph to explain:
“This is a type of antioxidant that actually builds up in the skin, helping to reduce inflammation. The beta carotene also serves to protect the proteins in our skin that keep it supple, which adds a nice anti-aging benefit to the mix too. Increasing your intake of these foods will help keep the skin smooth.”
Besides, if you’re not into sweet potatoes, you need to work on that ASAP. They’re one of the most filling vegetables on the planet. And in my experience, there’s something about a sweet potato that really amps up the glow for a few days after you’ve housed one.
2. Brussels sprouts
One of the benefits of adulthood is that you finally start to appreciate the complex, glorious flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts.
One of the worst parts of being an adult is your skin starts to suck. But here’s the good news: Brussels sprouts can do wonders for plumping and smoothing your skin.
See, just like orange fruits and veggies, these leafy little babes are full of vitamins C and A, which are antioxidants. Antioxidants not only help fight skin damage, but also help form collagen.
Yes, that stuff your aunt gets injected into her cheeks is actually naturally occurring in your face. The more you know! The problem is collagen starts to disappear as we age, but eating plenty of vitamin C will ensure that yours stays put a little longer.
Honestly, get into Brussels sprouts, they’re one of the healthiest addictions you can have.
3. Eggs
You already know that eggs are a powerhouse food. Yes, whole eggs — switching to egg whites was just about the worst idea the diet industry ever foisted upon us.
Here’s the good news: whole eggs are full of selenium, an antioxidant that can prevent against skin cancer, sun damage, and skin spots. Eggs are also a complete source of protein (unlike many vegan proteins, which you have to pair with other foods). That means your bod will use the protein found in eggs to create more collagen and elastin.
And they’ve got the antioxidant vitamin A, plus a good amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D supports the growth of the cells on the outermost layer of your skin, so it’s vital for a glowing pallor.
Eggs are actually so good for your skin you can straight-up rub them all over your face, which, sure, why not?
4. Turmeric
This trendy spice is so hot right now for a reason.
Not only is turmeric tasty, it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. What’s that mean? According to Marie Claire:
“For those with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, its anti-inflammatory properties are a godsend to help soothe flare-ups. If you suffer from acne, it contains curcumin, which works to fight the bacteria that plays a critical role in its formation. As if that’s not enough, turmeric might be, basically, the fountain of youth.”
Being an orange-colored spice, turmeric is also rich in antioxidants to fight off free radicals and prevent signs of aging. Plus it might help prevent sun damage from tanning, which let’s be honest, we could all use a little help with.
If you’re really feeling like an overachiever, add a generous sprinkling of turmeric to your dairy-free scrambled eggs. It tastes amazing and it’s a super skin-friendly combo.
5. Salmon and tuna
Yes, it’s basically a women’s magazine cliche to recommend you eat salmon or tuna for health. But it’s true. Not only are these fish diet-friendly, but they’re full of the kind of healthy fat that keeps your skin looking supple.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and tuna can protect your skin from sun damage and decrease inflammation (which is behind so many issues including tired-looking skin). Salmon and tuna also have antioxidants, which, if you didn’t get the memo yet, are crucial for fresh-looking skin.
Omega-3s are supposed to decrease PMS, too, but we’ll believe that when we see it.
If you hate the taste of fish, look into getting a fish oil supplement to mimic the results.
6. Kale
Back when the craze for green juices first started a few years ago, I have to admit I was obsessed. I flushed tons of cash down the drain in ten-dollar increments, thinking these juices were the secret to weight loss and beauty.
Well, I was half right — the amount of kale I was inhaling definitely gave me a ridiculous glow. But what I didn’t realize was that eating vegetables is way better than drinking them. You get more fiber that way!
Whether you eat or drink your leafy greens, though, you should definitely not skip kale. It’s full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and omega 3s. Out of all the leafy vegetables, it has the most nutrients by far, making it good for your health and your skin. And you don’t have waste cash on cold-pressed juices to enjoy it. Just grab a bag for like $3 at the supermarket and you’re good to go.
7. Berries
Last but not least, berries are a huge source of antioxidants. If you don’t like the taste, or your favorite type isn’t in season, you can grab frozen blueberries, strawberries, and/or raspberries and throw them in a smoothie with a banana (which, fun fact, is also great for your skin, especially if it’s overripe).
That’s my list — I could keep going, but the point is this: eat fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats in any form, and your skin will thank you.
