Eat your way to beautiful, healthy skin, with this complexion-booster hotlist.
Alfalfa: Good skin is all about healthy cells. Alfalfa is high in protein and contains every essential amino acid – the building blocks of healthy cells. It also contains most vitamins, minerals and trace minerals found in the blood – essential to healthy skin. This humble sprout is almost the perfect food!
Apricots are rich in Vitamin A, which is great for keeping skin moist and firm – one reason it’s used in topical creams.
Avocado is rich in Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant that neutralises nasty free radicals from the sun, pollution, smoke and chemicals, which damage skin cells and cause wrinkles.
Bananas contain the trace mineral Silica, used to make collagen – the connective skin tissue that keeps it all together. Bananas are also a good source of Vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production.
Blueberries are famous for their antioxidant power, and for their high Vitamin C content.
Carrots are packed with Beta-Carotene, which promotes skin repair and maintenance.
Chilli is a good source of Vitamin A, which nourishes the skin.
Citrus Fruits are packed with collagen boosting Vitamin C.
Eggs contain the antioxidant Selenium, needed for tissue elasticity.
Fish Oil or Flax Oil: Try a summer salad with fatty fish, like salmon, or the vegetarian option of flax seeds. Both contain omega-3 fats which help keep skin soft and supple.
Nuts and Seeds are rich in wrinkle-busting Vitamin E and beautifying Omega 3s. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds have the mineral Zinc, which aids in healing, as well as balancing oil production in the skin. Brazil nuts are a rich source of Selenium, giving skin its bounce back.
Oats are a great morning source of healing Zinc and collagen building Silica.
Parsley packs a punch of Vitamin C, and contains a huge amount of Iron – great for oxygen boosting blood flow.
Spinach: Munch down on spinach for a Silica collagen boost, nourishing Vitamin A and more.
Sugar: Bad news folks. When we eat sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and processed foods, harmful molecules – Advanced Glycation end Products (AGES) – are formed. AGES attack collagen and elastin, increasing wrinkles. Antioxidants – the skins natural protectors – are also reduced by nasty old sugars.
Wheat Germ and Whole Grains, unlike refined carbohydrates, will not damage the skin and offer Vitamin E and Selenium.
Recipe: Beauty Blend Smoothie
This nutritious and delicious smoothie provides a great big blast of complexion-friendly nutrients—Vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, Selenium and Omega 3 fats.
Ingredients
- 2 cold oranges, peeled and cut into sections.
- 1/2 chopped mango, cold
- 1/2 cup sliced frozen (unsweetened) strawberries
- 1 medium carrot, peeled, shredded
- 1/2 cup plain, non-fat yogurt, chilled
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Preparation
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. This recipe serves two.