Mother Nature’s Pantry: The Best Beauty Foods

We shouldn’t have to remind you—you are what you eat. So, if you want to get your glow on from the inside-out, start with some of these nourishing staples.

Here we draw our beautification inspiration from Cooking Light. Take a look at some of their recommendations for eating your way to pure radiance.

Apples

An apple a day…yes, we agree. The antioxidant quercetin is found in the peel of many apples, including Monroe and Golden Delicious varieties, which can protect your skin from damaging UVB rays from exposure to the sun. Learn to love the skin your in, and the skin you eat!

Strawberries

The vitamin C in these bright fruits can help support collagen production, which will help keep your skin looking vibrant and ripe. Just a cup of these berries is enough to get your daily recommendation of vitamin C.

Walnuts

Walnuts contains alpha-linolenic acid—an omega-3 fat that lubricates skin to help it hold moisture. Eat a small handful of walnuts for a protein-rich afternoon snack, or sprinkle some on your cereal or salad.

Olive Oil

Dip your bread and sauté your veggies with this heart-healthy oil. The essential fatty acids in olive oil can help your skin resist UV damage from sun exposure, and they also help your skin to retain moisture. Use about a tablespoon of olive oil a day to cook with or drizzle on your salads.

Chili Peppers

Capsaicin makes chili peppers hot, and adding this compound to a meal helps to reduce ghrelin— the hunger hormone—and also increases your levels of GLP-1—an appetite-reducing hormone. This combination can help you cut out some calories when you’re watching your waistline or trying to prevent overeating.

Water

Dehydration isn’t pretty, literally. Your skin is an organ, and its cells are made of mostly water. Drink pure water throughout the day to give your skin the hydration it craves.

Most whole and natural foods will give your natural beauty a chance to shine. So when you’re shopping for food, think about how you always have the opportunity to revitalize both your body and your beauty.