Health starts from the inside, if you don’t eat well it doesn’t really matter how many expensive products you apply, you won’t have perfect skin. Below I’ve compiled a list of things I generally eat in a day, picking out the best ingredients from each meal, all the while considering the effect on my skin. *Disclaimer there is a lot of fish! You can always eat almonds if you really hate fish to get the same benefits.
Breakfast – Avocado, smoked salmon on wholemeal toast with poached eggs.
- Avocado – contains healthy fatty acids along with Vitamin C that is essential for the production of elastin and collagen. Also contains antioxidants such as alpha and beta carotene which provide protection from the environment that can lead to aging. All of which help to improve the skin from the inside.
- Smoked salmon – can reduce inflammation because of the omega 3 and omega 6 frequently found in oily fish. Inflammation is the cause of clogged pores.
- Wholemeal bread – not refined like white carbohydrates so is more easily digested and does not cause skin damaging insulin spikes.
- Eggs – contain Vitamin A that can help the skin look renewed by helping to produce new skin cells.
All that by breakfast isn’t too bad…
Lunch – Greek salad.
- Olives – again like avocado they contain fatty acids that are good for you as they provide the ability to lubricate your skin which can keep your skin hydrated. Not only that but fatty acids also help your body to absorb other nutrients better. No one should be scared of fatty acids like the ones found in olives, olive oil and avocado. In fact Joy Bauer, a nutritionist in New York City says “A lot of young women have dry, flaky skin because they don’t eat enough fat.” (Cosmopolitan, 2003). Just make sure it’s healthy fat i.e. not a cheese burger although I am partial to a cheese burger once in a while.
- Dolma/Vine leaves – like eggs this is high in Vitamin A and fibre which are useful for fresh looking skin and nutrient absorption respectively.
- Rocket – rocket has antioxidant qualities which helps to prevent cancer by eliminating free radicals cause by the sun.
Dinner – Sea bass with avocado/tomato salsa and potato rosti
- Potato – more Vitamin C which also helps reduce dark circles and dark spots whilst also keeping wrinkle’s at bay.
- Tomatoes – are anti-inflammatory and can acts as antioxidants. This means they are useful in reducing puffiness and are also rich in lycopene which keeps your skin soft and supple.
If you can’t tell in this picture I got to around half way through eating my dinner before I realised I needed a picture…
To drink I had green tea and water sporadically throughout the day. This is to keep my skin hydrated whilst removing any toxins from my system. I also want to note I didn’t eat a dessert that day as I was stuffed from the sea bass but normally I eat some fresh fruit and yogurt to round off a day.
