Healthy Diet Tips for More Youthful Skin

When it comes to aging, it can be easy to compare people to food. Some fortunate men and women age gracefully, like a fine wine, looking years younger than they actually are and becoming more attractive with a few endearing wrinkles at the corner of their eyes. There’s almost an irresistible healthy glow about them that make you wish you could drink in their youth.

For the rest of us, however, we tend to age a bit like a tomato – we become red, wrinkly, and considerably mushy around our edges as time goes on.

So what’s their secret to beautiful, healthy, and more importantly, younger looking skin? We’ve asked the experts and decided to let you in on a little secret – you can turn back time with these healthy tips so you can finally look as young as you feel.

Healthy Tips to Look Younger

Pile on the Protein: As the body ages, collagen production decreases dramatically. This naturally produced substance is vital for keeping skin smooth and elastic while restoring and repairing skin cells. Collagen is composed of amino acids that can be found in a wide variety of animal products.

According to Jessica WU, MD Dermatologist, “I tell my patients to eat plenty of protein if their want to keep their skin firm.”
To make sure you’re getting the amino acids your skin needs to look young, be sure to have a balanced diet that includes lean meats such as chicken breasts or salmon fillets.

Vitalize with Vitamins: You may have heard that vitamins can keep your immune system healthy, but did you know that some vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy skin? Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen and it’s also a powerful antioxidant that can eliminate harmful toxins from the skin.

Tip: Citrus fruit such as oranges and grapefruit are natural sources of vitamin c. Have a few of these for breakfast every morning and you’ll be well on your way to healthy, younger looking skin.

Remember the Water: Staying hydrated is essential to keeping skin young and healthy. In addition to getting the recommended 6-8 glasses of water a day, be sure to moisturize your skin to keep it soft and supple. Dry skin is more likely to crack and wrinkle whereas soft skin is more resistant to damage.

Foods to Avoid

While some foods can improve your skin’s overall tone and appearance, others can wreak havoc on your hormones and cause your blood pressure to rise. Avoid the following foods if you want to keep your skin under control:

• Carbonated drinks
• Full-fat dairy products
• Rice/breads/pastas*
• Baked goods
• Cereals
• Salad dressings

*Note: Although the above foods can be good for you if they use whole-grains and keep the sugars to a minimum, be careful what you choose to include in your diet.

Final Words

The key to looking young and aging well is to be sure that you’re maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. By choosing the right foods, you can be sure that your skin will be able to have all the right nutrients it needs to stay young and smooth throughout your life.