Summer temperatures often require baring all, and most of us are not fortunate enough to have skin like the girls in the Gillette Venus commercials. There are countless remedies for clearing up skin, but sometimes the simplest solution is monitoring what you put into your body. Eat to glow with these healthy foods that will banish blemishes and satisfy for your taste buds at the same time.
Cucumber
Cucumber on the eyelids is the quintessential image of rest and relaxation, but chomping on the cooling veggie is even more beneficial for your health. The simple snack has a high water content , making it low in calories and hydrating for the skin. Bonus points to cucumbers for also containing silica, a mineral that maintains bone density. So a cucumber is an anti-aging item? We’ll take it. Healthy food idea: Slice cucumber into coins and top them with low-fat cream cheese and a thin slice of smoked salmon for a filling snack.
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Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are packed with antioxidants that calm skin irritation and inflammation. The flavorful seeds also contain countless vitamins and minerals that promote younger-looking skin, like copper, iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium (just to name a few). Healthy drink idea: Grind up a teaspoon of the seeds and add to boiling water for a licorice-like warm beverage. Recipe here.
SEE ALSO Discover Fennel: A Touch of Green
Walnuts
Nuts of any kind are health heroes when eaten in moderation, but walnuts rank at the top of our list as a most nutritious nosh. Why? These crinkly crunchy snacks are full of omega-3 essential fatty acids and copper, which “improve skin’s elasticity” and “boost collagen production” respectively. Go ahead and chomp on a handful of these daily. Healthy food idea: Make a superfood trail mix with walnuts, goji berries, dried cherries, and cocoa nibs.
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Kidney Beans
These meaty beans are zit-zapping, thanks to the zinc in them (repeat that five times fast). Low zinc levels have been linked to acne flair-ups so increase your zinc intake to steer clear of blemishes. Healthy food idea: swap the calorie-packed spinach and artichoke dip for kidney bean dip at your next party. Recipe here.
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What foods do you eat for healthy skin?
All images via Thinkstock
I need these tips-summer heat has been making me break out more. I mainly just try to drink lots of water but I’ll have to try the fennel seed trick…
Salmon and healthy fats are my go-to skin saving/loving foods!!!! 🙂 Fennel seeds and my stomach do NOT get along, even though I do love them!
Pomegranates, edamame and green tea!
I drink lots of green tea, eat salmon once or twice a week and drink organic carrot juice everyday. My skin is positively glowing.
Great to know, Judy!