Foods That Will Keep Your Skin at Its Best

By Sara Siskind

Editor’s note: As the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, the humidity in the air also decreases,  and that may cause our skin to look and feel drier. But there are foods we can eat that  will help hydrate us from the inside out to protect and beautify our skin. Sara Siskind, Certified Nutritional Health Counselor and founder of Hands on Healthy, has come up with a list of delicious foods that will help your skin look and feel beautiful for the chilly months ahead.

1. Look for natural foods that are full of water and vitamins. Try any colorful vegetables like red peppers, tomatoes, carrots, beets, and cucumbers. All of these are not only loaded with water, but also fiber. For those who have a hard time drinking water, rest assured that you will be getting plenty of clean water by consuming these foods
2. Healthy fats and phytonutrients are key in keeping your skin supple. Adding nuts such as Setton Farms Pistachios, Pistachio Chewy Bites, nut butters, swiss chard, pumpkin, cantaloupe, avocados, and sweet potatoes to your diet will allow you to get more healthy fats and nutrients into your body. It’s easy to sprinkle pistachios on your salads or even toss them into your smoothies. I have created a simple Pistachio Energy Ball recipe that is quick to make and gives the perfect portion of healthy fat to your skin.
3. Olive oil and coconut oil are my go-to oils when I cook. Coconut oil is excellent for cooking in high heat and even for baking. Olive oil is best for some light sautéing and dressing your salads, vegetables and proteins. What some don’t consider using these oils for is as a topical moisturizer. My entire family loves the feel and smell of coconut oil on their skin. It saves your cuticles, softens your face, and helps get rid of callouses. Olive oil is also wonderful to use on skin and hair, as it helps give your hair a lustrous shine and your skin a natural glow.
4. Foods that are rich in collagen-boosting vitamin C are best to help rebuild and strengthen your damaged skin. Keep your eye out for bell peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits, kale, and broccoli.
5. Chia seeds, sardines, flaxseeds and nuts: these foods are high in skin-strengthening Omega-3 fatty acids. You can easily top your salads with any of these items. A small portion such as 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds, 1Ž4 cup of raw nuts and even 4 ounces of sardines can do the trick.
6. Lastly, don’t forget herbs, spices and teas, which are often overlooked. These ingredients pack an abundance of antioxidants in small quantities. Turmeric, an ancient spice found in Indian cuisine, is one of the best and most effective in one’s health. It helps reduce inflammation inside that can cause havoc on the body. Green and black teas are also an excellent source of antioxidants that are effective in keeping your skin clear and healthy.