Foods to Keep You Looking Hot
Eat and be Pretty
Ever notice that when you eat well, you look better? It’s not just your imagination, eating certain foods can help make your skin look clearer, your hair shinier and your nails stronger. So get in touch with your inner health nut, and get on your way to becoming even more gorgeous, from the outside in.
1. Salmon
Love sushi? You’re in luck: those yummy salmon sushi rolls are packed with blessed little nutrients called omega-3s. They boost circulation and fight off inflammation, giving your skin that unmistakable J. Lo glow. They’ll also feed your nails and help keep them strong.
2. Dark chocolate
When word got out about chocolate having health benefits, women around the world got down on their knees to praise the almighty power. And it’s not just good for the heart. Dark chocolate’s ability to fight off the bad guys called free radicals may help prevent wrinkles. That’s one more good reason not to feel guilty when you indulge.
3. Strawberries
These lovely little red gems are loaded with vitamin C, which helps maintain collagen. That’s good because collagen is the super-important support system underneath your skin which plumps it up. Fill up on citrus and broccoli, along with strawberries to get your healthy dose.
4. Sweet potatoes
When it comes to superpower foods, it’s all about colour. The vibrant orange hue of these tasty root veggies tells you they’re rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which helps to bring that new baby-soft skin to the surface.
5. Cheese
Need more reasons to eat cheese? Probably not, but if you do, you should know that while you’re treating yourself to that Brie, you’re doing your teeth a favor. The calcium in cheese and dairy products help maintain tooth enamel. What’s more, getting enough calcium is key to avoiding the not-so-attractive gum disease.
6. Sunflower Seeds
Not only are they a tasty snack, these little wonders are filled with vitamin E, which helps maintain your body’s tissues. As an antioxidant, vitamin E works hard to protect cells and combat the signs of aging.
7. Oysters
We’ve all heard that oysters can make you feel frisky, but did you know they can also improve your skin? Oysters are loaded with zinc, which is like the motivational speaker in your body that tells new cells to form. Too little zinc in your diet can make it tough for your skin to heal itself, leading to the dreaded acne.
8. Whole grains with iron
If you’ve heard from your doctor that your iron is a little low and didn’t think too much of it, keep in mind that your hair and nails could be suffering the consequences. Found in whole wheat bread and pasta and lean meats, iron is a nutrient powerhouse that helps fortify your nails and skin. If that doesn’t convince you, consider this: a deficiency in iron could cause your hair to thin or even fall out. Yikes!
9. Brazil nuts
Eat a handful of these rich and buttery nuts and you could do your skin some good. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a mineral that acts like a natural sunblock, protecting your skin against harmful UV rays. Since the sun is skin enemy number one, that’ll help delay the signs of aging for at least a little while, and we need all the help we can get!
10. Olive oil
If you’re trying to eat well, you might be tempted to slash all fats from your diet, but think again: some fats are actually good for us, and vital for healthy skin. Good fats in olive oil help to moisturize your skin from the inside out. What’s more, fat helps your body absorb the anti-aging wunderkind vitamin A.
Written by: Kristen Vinakmens
If this article tickled your fancy, you must sign up for the
newsletter, dahling. You can have this sort of thing delivered directly to you. Now that’s service.