HEALTHY DIETS EATING YOUR WAY TO A GOOD COMPLEXION

HEALTHY DIETS

EATING YOUR WAY TO A GOOD COMPLEXION

Healthy diets are important for your general health as well as ensuring that your skin remains healthy.

While lotions and potions can improve your skin from the outside, a nutritious and well-balanced diet works from the inside out. Not only is it a delicious way to eat, it can work wonders for your skin.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!
Healthy diets for healthy bodies are the same as the ones for healthy, clear complexions.

It should have the following characteristics:

• Contain lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
• High in fibre
• Low in fat
• Low in added sugar and salt.

Such healthy diets should provide your body and skin with all the minerals and vitamins needed to function at their very best.

HEALTHY DIET FOR HEALTHY SKIN CHECKLIST
There are certain essentials that your body will need to ensure that your skin is healthy and in good condition.

Check what you are eating against this diet checklist to ensure that you are eating right.

WATER 
The most important and essential element that your body needs is water. Water must be a component in any healthy diets.

Water can be found in the foods that you eat every day. However relying on the water content in the food is insufficient. You should also drink a minimum of two litres (quarts) of water daily. This will help to ensure a healthy body and clear skin. It is obvious that drinking plenty of water during the day helps purify your body. This will help you to maintain a fresher and firmer skin.

CELLULOSE CARHOHYDRATES 
Cellulose carbohydrates have an indirect effect on your skin. They are fibre foods which help to keep you regular. In doing so, it helps the body to get rid of waster and helps to retain a brighter, clearer complexion.

VITAMIN A 
An essential vitamin that helps to promote growth is Vitamin A. It also facilitates the regeneration skin cells and the repair of skin tissues. Insufficient intake of vitamin A will cause the skin to be dry, itch and lose its elasticity. It is found in orange and dark green foods such as spinach, carrots, apricots and broccoli.

VITAMIN C 
To help produce collagen, vitamin C is necessary. Collagen is essential for retaining the firmness of your skin. Foods that contain vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, cabbage, watercress and tomatoes.

VITAMIN E 
Vitamins such as vitamin E are antioxidants. They help to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause ageing. Vitamin E can be found in foods such as hazelnuts, almonds and wheat germ.

ZINC 
Vitamin A works hand in hand with a mineral called zinc to make collagen and a fibre called elastin. Elastin gives your skin firmness, strength and elasticity.

Healthy diets and beautiful complexions go hand in hand. Check to ensure that you know the facts.

HEALTHY DIETS AND LOSING WEIGHT
Do you have the habit of constantly losing weight and then re-gaining it again? This can have a adverse effects on your skin.

If you over-eat and become overweight, the layer of fat underneath your skin thickens. Consequently your skin is being stretched.

A crash diet can cause your skin to collapse. This leads to fine lines and wrinkles appearing. Moreover, a crash diet will deprive your skin and body of the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy and look good.

If you do need to shed some weight, do it at a slow, sensible and steady pace. This gives your skin time to acclimatize. It is always good to seek the advice of your doctor before you embark on any program to lose weight.

A TYPICAL HEALTHY DIET
Use the following as an example to help you plan healthy diets.

BREAKFAST 

• A glass of fruit juice. Do not add any sugar or artificial sweeteners.
• A bowl of cereal, make it whole grained and unsweetened. Add semi-skimmed or skimmed milk. Top up with chopped banana.
• 2 slices of toast. Use whole wheat bread. Spread sparingly with low-fat spread

LUNCH 

• Baked potato. Fill it with low-fat cottage cheese
• Plenty of fresh, raw salad
• 1 low-fat yogurt, any flavour

DINNER 

• Grilled (Broiled) fish or chicken
• Boiled brown rice
• Plenty of steam vegetables
• Fresh fruit salad
• Natural yogurt and nuts

There is insufficient scientific evidence that links eating chocolate to having breakouts. However a healthy low-fat and high-fibre diet is known to be good for skin. Some people do claim that keeping away from chocolate improves their skin. Keep snacks such as chocolate to a minimum and eat them only as an occasional treat.