There are so many lotions and potions on the market these days all selling to you the product of beautiful skin. And I am not saying that these creams and gels and masks and all the rest of it do not work- they do to a certain extent. But they do not work on their own. You have to give them something to work with. For example, you cannot get up for breakfast and have bacon, eggs, sausage and waffles, then for lunch go to McDonald's and then have Steak for tea and expect that if you drink Slimfast in between these meals that you will lose weight.
It is the same with your skin. Your skin much of the time is a reflection on how healthy your inside is as much as your outside- after all you would not expect a plant to drink water from its petals- beautiful flowers are beautiful because they get their nutrition from below the surface. So here are ten of the best foods that you can eat to get gorgeous looking skin- from the inside out.
Low Fat Yoghurt
Yes I know- I said rude words Low Fat. But the key ingredient in Low fat Yoghurt that can help your skin is Vitamin A. If you do not get enough Vitamin A then your skin can become really dry and even chapped. But remember: balance is key. Check out your recommended daily allowance and don't OD on the stuff. The important thing is to get the right amount- not too much. Top Tip: Mangoes are also very high in Vitamin A.
Blueberries
Berries in general are great for your skin. Blueberries are a super food so you should be getting plenty of them anyway. But they also contain antioxidants to help to detox your body and flush away any impurities that could be causing your skin not to look its best. Have a look around your local market or greengrocers to see what is on offer. Fruit and veg in general is quite expensive at the moment, so try and buy berries that are in season to get a better deal.
Fish
Fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential and you skin loves them. Fatty acids doesn't exactly sound like a very good thing, but trust me, they are. For a vegetarian option, go for nuts, walnuts in particular, flaxseed or canola oil. Fish is a dish that you can enjoy as much as you want to as it is very low in fat, high in protein and packed full of great stuff for your hair and nails as well as your skin. Not only that, but Omega 3 has also been linked with higher brain power. Top Tip: Ideally, you should only be eating two red meat meals per week, but as much fish and chicken as you like- so it's “good bye” to high fat red meat and “hello” to high protein chicken and fish for a great complexion.
Cottage Cheese
Yet another low fat, high protein way to get great skin, cottage cheese is not only good for watching your waistline, but it also contains selenium an antioxidant that damages free radicals and protects your immune system- what did I say about being healthy on the inside? That's right, that you will look good on the outside too. Top Tip:Cottage cheese is really versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Why not try it on a jacket potato for lunch or on crackers after tea?
Oranges
Now I could not leave this one out. All citrus fruits contain heaps of Vitamin C, which is great for your immune system and your skin. Fruit should be eaten on its own either an hour before a meal or at least an hour after. This is because fruit digests at a different speed to most other foods and if eaten alongside a big meal can be left to rot inside you- ever had an upset tummy after eating fruit? Well, that is why. But do eat plenty. The general recommendation is about five pieces of fruit and veg a day, so why not make a couple of them some citrus fruit and help your skin to glow. Top Tip: Before you do anything else in the morning, boil the kettle and instead of having coffee which dehydrates your skin and can lead to premature aging, have some hot water with the juice of one lemon. This will help your skin stay blemish- free and looking younger for longer.
So, these are my top five foods to keep your skin looking beautiful. Do not forget that although eating the right food is important if you want healthy skin, but also what you drink has a massive impact on how you look. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and steer clear from drinks that will dehydrate your skin like coffee and alcohol. If you do this, it should provide a good healthy foundation of healthy skin- and then you can start experimenting with all those expensive creams.
