4. Walnuts
There is a lot in the news about how nuts in general, and walnuts in particular, contain an optimal ratio of essential fatty acids. Our bodies use these essential fatty acids as the building blocks of healthy cell membranes, and because we do not create them internally, we need to get our omega-3s and omega-6s from food. Another great source of EFAs is fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring.
We recommend walnuts for your EFAs because they also contain the skin-loving antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium, as well as 4–5 grams of protein per ounce. Because walnuts are high in fat as well, it’s best to stick to one ounce per serving, but that much is enough to net you 6% of the RDI for zinc. Zinc is known to support skin healing as well as fight bacteria and inflammation.
5. Sweet Potatoes
Beta carotene is a type of antioxidant from the carotenoid group that can actually protect your skin from sun damage, and sweet potatoes are a particularly rich source of it. You can’t necessarily skip using sunscreen if you are going to be outside for a significant amount of time, but a diet rich in beta carotene increases the time that you can spend in the sun without burning.
Sunburn is important to avoid, not only because it increases your risk of skin cancer, but because it results in cell death. That causes dry and wrinkly skin. If you need yet another reason to eat your sweet potatoes, that beta carotene can impart a warm, bronze tone to your skin without any sun exposure at all.
Conclusion
The key to achieving healthy skin through diet is to focus on plant-based foods with a small amount of lean meat, like fish, added in. Fruits, vegetables, and natural produce, especially the ones on our list, contain the highest levels of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vital nutrients to protect your precious skin. If you drink a lot of water as well, you can boost the positive effects even further. Follow our advice to achieve glowing skin that will make your friends green with envy!
