Our Nutritionist covers: 5 Tips for glowing skin
here is a simple list of 5 things you can do to help your skin to feel and look healthy and glowing:
“Your skin is like a mirror, that’s echoing what’s going on inside your body. Eating the right foods will have a positive impact on your complexion.”
Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses each day), if you’re active or are in a heated/air conditioned place for many hours of the day, drink more.
Eat foods that are rich in healthy fats, such as avocados, sea buckthorn, nuts and seeds and oils; such as olive oil
Ensure you eat at least 5 portions of different colours of fruit and vegetables every day, preferably more (and eat the skins too if you can, they contain a lot of the good stuff) Adding a few teaspoons of different berry powders to your breakfast already sets the right direction in the morning.
Make sure you clock in at least 7 hours of sleep each night (essential for skin regeneration)
Clock at least 20mins of walking in fresh air each day, rain or shine.
Drinking enough of water is so important for glowing skin – and so many other functions in your body so it’s one of those small changes to make in your life that will bring really incredible positive changes. If you can’t remember to drink, set yourself a reminder on your phone every 1,5 hours to down a glass
Eating plenty of different colours will ensure that you get a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to repair itself and maintain a smoothly functioning digestive system, cognitive function as well as healthy, balanced skin. Studies have shown that carotenoids, the antioxidants in brightly coloured fruit, veg and berries, can reduce our skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Lycopene, found in red fruits and vegetables, acts as your skin’s internal sunscreen, while orange varieties of fruits and veg, like sweet potatoes and carrots, provide beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to skin-vital vitamin A.
Vitamin C is vital for collagen production, and is found in abundance in peppers, kiwis and berries, such as blueberries, cranberries and blackcurrants. Berry powders are high in vitamin C.
One not very well known skin superfood is sea buckthorn. It contains all of these important nutrients – all in a very small and compact package. For example, just a small handful of fresh berries or a few spoonfuls of sea buckthorn powder pack your daily dose of vitamin C. You really don’t need a lot of this superfood in your diet to reap the benefits. It’s no wonder many organic and natural skin care products include sea buckthorn. For the best results, eat the berries fresh or as a powder to make sure your body absorbs all the benefits, not only outside through the skin.
This bright orange berry is also a great source of vitamin K and vitamin A – which makes it quite the health bomb for your whole body.
If you’ve not yet tried it, why not give it a go in a recipe such as this or add a little teaspoon on top of your yogurt, cereal or porridge.
