So yes, with filters on Instagram and Photoshop for a more polished look, we can fake it and make it, but deep down, all we want is original blemish free, glowing skin that gets heads turning everywhere you go. It’s difficult to keep up with new cosmetics and make-up tricks to get that perfect look, so we thought of a better plan that’s easier to control and manage – food!
It’s always been said that ‘you are what you eat’ right, but who really cares when a plate of crispy fries and a juicy burger with fresh lettuce and dripping blue-cheese is staring you in the face! Unless you are careful about what you put in your mouth, it’s mostly for health reasons, not cosmetic, correct? But, when you eat, food is broken down into smaller pieces that enter your bloodstream and eventually make their way to your skin.
If you have noticed, a diet of processed foods or goodies with high-sugar content and little to no fibre results in break-outs, oily skin, dark circles under eyes and general skin dryness. On the other hand, drinking more water, eating raw fruits and vegetables, lean protein and healthier oils results in less wrinkles and pimples and more plump looking skin. Click here for Costco specials on fruit and veg that will give you a start to your glow journey.
It may sound easy to start this diet plan on a whim but consistency is the key. Go slow, start with these 3 breakfast suggestions and add more as you master removing the bad fats and carbs etc., and adding the beneficial ones.
Choose Low-GI Products
Foods with a low-GI (Glycaemic Index) like wholegrain bread, oats and millet help to reduce the hormones that cause wrinkles and skin damage. Instead, they promote healthy hair, skin and nails because of the silica they contain.
Eat Brightly Coloured Fruit And Vegetables
Orange fruit and veg like carrots for example, have beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to much needed vitamin A. Red fruit and veg like strawberries have lycopene which acts as our internal SPF. Bell peppers and kiwis have vitamin C which is essential for collagen production. Adding leafy greens will also make sure that that collagen is protected from damage. Whip up a smoothie with all these colours and see how much more supple and soft your skin will become.
Eat More Protein
Protein is made up of amino acids, which we need to make collagen that keeps our skin strong. Lean meats, eggs (avoid fried), and fish are good protein sources. Oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, and trout also stimulate skin hydration, resulting in plumper-looking skin.
If you get hungry before lunch, snack on nuts, different kinds – almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts – all have essential oils that add to our skin’s moisture content. They are also a good source of vitamin E which acts as a sunblock, protecting us from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Nuts also contain Zinc, an active ingredient in reducing skin puffiness and redness, especially if you suffer from acne. Back in the day, societies like the Greeks used to incorporate these into their diets. There is no reason why we also can’t do that today.
