Foods to Eat For Healthy Skin

How to eat to get gorgeous skin

You know the rules, girls: In order to get glowing skin—not to mention glossy hair and strong nails—you must eat a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and essential fatty acids. Beauty starts on the inside, although a fully stocked makeup arsenal never hurts. It’s super important to get your vitamins and nutrients from a variety of nutritious foods. You’re on your way to looking gorgeous if you eat right. Try on makeup in our virtual makeup studio.

Take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty and load up on fresh fruits and veggies every day (aim to eat one or the other at every meal). Raw fruits and vegetables are especially beneficial, rich in nutrients and antioxidants. For breakfast, slice up strawberries and banana and add them to a whole grain cereal, along with some juicy blueberries and raspberries. For lunch, devour a cup of vegetable soup and cap off dinner with a plate of fresh fruit (or simply opt for the fruit cobbler instead of the waist-sabotaging chocolate bomb cake). Choose organic produce whenever possible. It isn’t contaminated with chemicals, hormones or pesticides.

Essential fatty acids are found in healthy oils and fats. They are a must since they condition skin, hair and nails from within. Eat a diet with plenty of olive oil, avocado, oily fish, seeds and nuts to maintain a youthful appearance (translation: plump, smooth skin).

Think wheat bread, not Wonderbread. Rice, pasta and bread are better in their unrefined state (it’s easy to spot them, they’re brown…not white).

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast, which kick-starts your metabolism. Aim for three meals a day and when you’re hungry in between, snack on almonds or grapes. You want to fuel your body every three to five hours, and drink plenty of water. –Stephanie Simons