8. Edamame (or any soy food)
Soy has always been a great source of fiber and protein. Along with that, it has been claimed to help reduce wrinkles and sun damage. In fact, here is what a Japanese study found out about the effects of soy on a person’s skin:
A Japanese study published in February 2007 in the “Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology” concluded that the oral intake of 40 mg soy aglycones daily over 12 weeks improved the skin of 26 female volunteers ranging in age from the late 30s to early 40s.
It’s amazing that we have another way to protecting ourselves from the harsh UV rays thanks to soy. I’d say it is pretty much a super food at this point thanks to its mighty anti-aging and UV-protecting super powers!
Incorporating soy into your diet is actually pretty easy. You can simply switch out the milk in your fridge for a carton of soy milk. Instead of scarfing down on a pint of whole cream ice cream, buy yourself a pint of soy milk ice cream. Put soy milk in your latte rather than whole milk. Put edamame in your salad or just it eat as it is when you need to snack on something. There’s a lot of things you can do, trust me.
Soy milk can be used as a cleanser and moisturizer for your skin, making it soft and supple after each use. Mixing it with other foods that are known to fight common skin problems will make it easier to get healthier skin. Here is a great source for ideas on how you can make cleansers for different skin types.
7. Dark Chocolate
Chocolate has been around for hundreds of years. It has been used as currency and as medicine. It is basically a food that was created from the heavens. The Maya even had a cacao god. If one thing hasn’t changed over the years, I would have to say it would be people’s love of chocolate, and it makes sense why. Besides its amazing taste, it has cocoa flavanols, which are key for skin hydration and circulation. Lisa Drayer, MA, RD proves chocolate’s skin-changing abilities in Prevention:
Women who consumed a high flavanol cocoa powder drink daily for 12 weeks experienced less skin roughness and scaliness compared to a control group.
These effects apply to dark chocolate, so don’t immediately run to the supermarket to get yourself a lifetime supply of all types of chocolate. Dark chocolate also has nutrients that help maintain a nice glowing complexion and can help reverse sun damage. Who knew rejuvenating the skin could be so sweet?
There are countless ways to incorporate chocolate into your favorite foods, so I feel like there is really no need to mention any ways to put it into your diet. You can even just eat it on its own. It is perfect just the way it is.
You can make yourself a face mask using chocolate. I love mixing it with raw honey, oatmeal, or coconut oil and letting it sit on my skin for 5-10 minutes. Just wash it off and it is guaranteed smooth, glowing skin. Also, you will smell so delicious! You would want to eat yourself, but please don’t do that.
6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal has been an ingredient in many skin products because it is contains vitamins, lipids, and minerals which help remove dead skin cells and bad toxins. Dr. Susan Stuart mentions how far oatmeal’s powers extend in the following:
“Oatmeal contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and as such is ideal for sensitive skin and to treat a variety of skin disorders (i.e sunburns, eczema and poison ivy).”
I guess from this quote, it’s best to say that we should all have this food in handy. So next time you plan to treat yourself to a home spa, remember to have a hefty supply of oatmeal.
This popular breakfast food can be combined with other favorite foods to start your day off right. I love adding honey, raisins, or cocoa powder to my bowl of oatmeal. You can add anything you want, from strawberries to coconut shreds, to make it appetizing for you. I also love using oatmeal to make granola bars that I munch on after working out or whenever I get hungry.
Oatmeal can be used on its own or with other foods to treat your skin. I mix it with honey and yogurt to use as a facial. It can also be used for bath soak to moisturize your skin. Also, you can use strained water from cooking your oatmeal and mix it with essential oils to make a toner that is great for people with sensitive skin.
5. Sardines
Not many people love this greasy fish, but I love it! However, what’s more important (and more relevant to this article) is that YOUR SKIN loves it, too. It’s loaded with protein, calcium, and iron, and B-12! Here is how B-12 is actually beneficial to your skin:
The B-12 can help with itchy eczema, and omega-3s are known to ease everything from adult acne to dandruff.
It’s amazing knowing that this small fish has also more omega-3’s than salmon, another favorite and healthy fish. Man, this fish may be small, but it can certainly make a big impact on your health and looks.
There are no ways as to how you can make sardines a part of your morning or nighttime skin cleaning. That would be very smelly and gross. I wouldn’t suggest putting sardines on your face. Fortunately, there are many recipes you can follow that use sardines! I love cooking it in olive oil and sprinkling it with a little salt and pepper. It’s also a great way to add protein to salads or any pasta dish.
4. Citrus Peels
Next time you slice or peel your citrus fruits, think again before your throw those rinds down the garbage. Citrus skins are good for your skin! It sounds kind of gross to eat the peel. No doubt about it. However, researchers from the University of Arizona convince us to do it. It led them to make this surprising observation:
People who ate peels (orange peel or lemon zest, for example) had a 33% decreased risk for squamous cell carcinoma … The researchers credit limonene, a compound found in the oil in the peels that offers the UV-protective benefits.
Peels actually have a nice taste. Some are bitter whereas others are sweet and tangy. They are a pleasant surprise that I never thought I would be a need for good skin.
Other than consuming them on their own, you can easily buy yourself a jar of marmalade in the grocery store. If you do not want to buy it from the store, just chop your orange rinds into thin strips and mix it with honey. Not only can it be used as a spread, it can be used to mix into your hot or cold water. I mix my cold water with this mix everyday and I just can’t live without it!
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