Beauty Foods for Mom!
May-11-2013

We know by now that what we eat can have a profound impact on our health, but how do foods affect our outward appearance? Are there beauty foods? Absolutely, and here's a list of common foods you can serve mom on Mother's day to keep her glowing and healthy from the inside out!

Vitamin C rich foods, especially strawberries can help keep your skin glowing and bright! Vitamin C is an important building block for collagen, which supports the underlying structure of your skin. Just 1 cup of delicious strawberries contains over 100 percent of your daily vitamin C recommendation. Other vitamin C rich foods include: bell peppers, broccoli, pineapple, kiwis, kale, oranges, and other fruits and vegetables.

Another food that helps boost collagen is soy, so grab your self a bag of edamame for a great beauty snack or to top a salad. Rich in isoflavones, edamame and other soy foods will not only work to preserve collagen but help protect against UV light damage, working to keep skin wrinkle free!

Other foods that help protect against sun damage? Think red (no not a sunburn!) choosing red foods like tomatoes, especially cooked, provide lycopene which has demonstrated effects in protecting skin from sunburn.

What do onions, apples, sage, parsley and citrus have in common? Quercetin, of course, which is an antioxidant that provides some protection from the "burning" UVB rays. Quercetin also acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, which could keep skin irritation at bay.

What else is important for glowing skin? Omega-3 fatty acids of course! Great sources include, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, sardines, and salmon. Getting plenty of essential fatty acids help keep our cells communicating properly as well as making sure our skin is hydrated and smooth.

Stay hydrated, make mom some tea! Green tea is rich in antioxidants (i.e. EGCG) that work to decrease inflammation and protect cell membranes. Some studies have demonstrated that tea may also reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light.

Make sure you get plenty of water. Skin cells contain mostly water, and if you're dehydrated, skin can look and feel dry. Water with fresh squeezed lemon, and herbal tea are two great choices to stay hydrated.

In general choosing a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean meats and cold water fish will have Mom healthy and radiant from the inside out!

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Posted by Ken at 12:00 AM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print