What we put in our mouths is just as important as the products we put on our skin. Food is digested and broken down into various vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that our skin, being the largest organ in our body, can use to create healthy skin.
With so many diets circling around and the information overload that surrounds them, it can be hard to know what to put in our bodies and what to avoid. Whether we follow Keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, low Fodmap, or any of the infinite number of diets, it’s important that we all agree: Food should nourish and fuel us so that we can feel and perform our best.
Crash dieting or repeatedly losing and regaining weight can take a toll on our skin. Over a long period of time the flux in weight and periods of restricting certain essential vitamins and minerals can cause sagging, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Focusing on creating a lifestyle that prioritizes a healthy, balanced diet as one of the key foundations will ensure our skin is getting everything it needs to be as strong and supple as it can. When eliminating whole food groups to see if they can help improve our skin, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes six weeks for new skin to surface and any visible changes will take just as long.
There are some well-known vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can help keep skin smooth, healthy, and beautiful.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce dryness.
- Vitamin C aids in collagen production.
- Vitamin A helps keep bacteria out of the body.
- Red, orange, yellow, and dark green plants are natural antioxidants that protect the skin.
- Zinc aids in wound healing.
Remembering that with every bite we are fueling ourselves to be the best version of ourselves, we should also eat food that makes us happy and enjoy the natural skin benefits that come with fueling ourselves from the inside out!
