Your Skin's Diet

There are many reasons we make the effort to watch our diets: weight management (taking the weight off or keeping it off), lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, or just simply to live healthy.

But we seldom hear people say they are trying to eat right to promote healthy skin.

We used to think that eating chocolate would cause skin break outs, but in recent years we have learned that eating dark chocolate is actually good for your skin. (Thank goodness) Dark chocolate contains anti-oxidants which help increase the natural UV protection that our skin creates.

Our Skin is Fine Clothing

Mark Twain once shared this bit of wisdom: "The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this."

Most of us make the effort to take good care of our clothing so it will look nice when we wear it, and because it is an investment, we want it to last longer.

Shouldn't we think of our skin in the same way? We want it to look nice when we wear it (which is always) and we want it to last longer.

How our skin looks is important, but how healthy it is, is even more important. As our body's largest organ; its job is to protect our vital organs and help filter out the toxins that build up inside.

What to feed our skin

We can use all the great skin care products created, but if we fail to feed our skin properly, everything else is wasted.

· One of the most essential things we can do for our skin is keep it hydrated, which means drinking plenty of water, which helps it do its job of eliminating those things that could make us unhealthy. Coffee, tea or soda are sources of water, but aren't a substitute for the real thing.

· Eat whole grains, they are not only good sources of fiber, which help prevent acne causing inflammation, but also contain a large amount of anti-oxidants.

· Another great source of anti-oxidants is berries, especially blueberries, blackberries and strawberries which help our skin to look younger.

· Our skin needs good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids (good fat), which you can get from eating fish, especially the oily fish such as salmon, anchovies, mackerel or sardines. These fatty acids help keep the skin free of blemishes.

Walnuts, flax seed or canola oil are also good sources

· To aid your skin in its natural renewal process you need Vitamin A, which you can find in carrots.

· A good source of Vitamin E, to help keep your skin moisturized is almonds.

· If you need to sooth red, blotchy skin, avocados act as an anti-inflammatory.

Taking good care of your skin isn't just about beauty and vanity, it's about good health.