The pros in the white lab coats are all hoping you’ll buy the latest face potion to ward off wrinkles, but did you know you could find a cure in your breakfast bowl? This week is Wellness Week and it’s as good a time as any to learn a few natural ways to care for your skin from the inside out.
Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve stumbled on or getting healthier skin with each bite you take.
1. My Big Fat Greek Yogurt. I LOVE this stuff! Even better? It’s low fat and packed with protein. Proteins are a good foundation to any diet to help strengthen blood vessels and connective tissue like collagen and elastin, as well as construct and repair damaged cells. Healthy protein sources include: eggs, poultry, fishes like salmon, tuna, sardines (all rich in omega-3s), cheeses, an deven nuts and seeds. The recommended intake is 15-20 gm/meal. So watch out for higher fat sources like red meats and nuts – moderation is key.
2. Spice it up. Ginger, turmeric, cayenne, oregano, as well as garlic not only enhance our favorite recipes, they fight inflammation, which can age our entire body more rapidly. Spices can also increase blood flow, which decreases as we age. So, grab the Tabasco sauce for the rosy glow of youth!
3. Keep it Brown! By now, we all should know whole grains are less refined and processed, and contain little to no high fructose corn syrup. But did you know that in addition to steady insulin levels from consuming these great grains they are loaded with healthy fiber to help filter waste out of our bodies, keeping our skin clear and supple? Look for whole grain options like bulgur, buckwheat or quinoa products for a way to add something new to the table.
4. Taste the Rainbow. Eating a wide variety of fruits and veggies (three or more each day) provides energizing enzymes and minerals that help thwart disease, inflammation and give us healthy hair, skin, and nails. Variety is key here. My fam and I often go to the store to pick up a new produce item we have never tried. Look for these power players next time you hit the corner market: blueberries, acai, arugula, broccoli, shallots, aloe vera, walnuts, pumpkin or hemp seeds, raw honey, and papaya. I also LOVE wheatgrass and seaweed salad!
5. Drink Up. This one should be easy-peasy. Instead of solely drinking the recommended 8-10 glasses of water a day that we all know we should drink, how ‘bout some green tea? Green tea is full of ECGSs, a catechin that has wonderful anti-aging properties for the skin.
There are a plenitude of theories on aging and countless ways to turn back time, but who knew we could find it in a plate of whole-grain pasta?
Bon Appetit!
Janelle Robertson is a resident expert on everything with some musings for the masses. In her spare time she’s an aesthetician, make-up artist, and massage therapist who owns Trove Total Body Studio.