Great Foods to Help Get Your Skin Back to Business

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The Christmas holidays can take a lot out of us and our skin. It’s understandable that our beauty routines go out the window in the face of parties, big dinners, and treats–not to mention cold weather. Now that it’s January, let’s get back to business and focus on some truly positive additions to our diet that will have us glowing, healthy, and happy through the years to come.

No Yo-Yo Dieting

Control of our diet has a great effect on our skin. There’s a big difference between planning our diet and capital-D Dieting though, and the latter can have bad consequences on our skin health, and our happiness. Avoid yo-yo dieting and instead make a plan for foods that give you energy, give health to your skin, and make you feel good. Here are some foods to introduce into your diet for your skin’s sake:

Antioxidant Rich Foods

Antioxidants prevent, as one might expect, oxidization. Oxidization in the body produces free radicals–harmful to your cell production and a cause of aging skin. Look for antioxidant rich foods that fight free radicals including:

  • Olive oil
  • Tomatoes
  • Yellow bell peppers
  • Cranberries, blueberries, blackberries
  • Walnuts
  • Dark greens: broccoli and kale
  • Low-Glycemic Foods

Replacing sugar-filled foods with low-glycemic alternatives prevents insulin spikes. A “sugar rush” takes a toll on our energy levels–we’re up and then we’re way down. The same happens to our skin, and the aggravation can result in acne, burst blood vessels, and rosacea. Low-glycemic foods are digested slowly, and keep us, and our skin, calm. Remember these allies in the fight against red, irritated skin:

  • Chickpeas
  • Oatmeal (add anti-oxidant rich berries in lieu of sugar to sweeten your breakfast)
  • 100% Whole grains
  • Water! Drinking water fills the desire to reach for other drinks like juice and soda

Anti-inflammatories

Dairy is a major cause of inflammation in our skin, leading to breakouts, puffiness, and uneven textures. Look for alternatives that give you the lean protein and calcium boost you need without the blow up:

  • Almond milk
  • Carrots
  • Sunflower seeds, and other Vitamin E rich foods
  • Omega-3 rich fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
  • Walnuts, cashews, and almonds
  • Soybeans
  • Avocados

These are just a small sample of the foods available to you that will give you energy, and keep your skin young and glowing year round.