Eat to glow
Tips on how to get glowing skin from a Holistic Nutritionist
By Valerie Spohr C.N.P, @nutrinimble
Did you know that our beauty starts in our gut and that a diet full of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, herbs and spices is key? What we eat has a direct impact on our skin through something called the gut-skin axis. A balanced diet can not only make your gut happy, but also make your skin glow.
To achieve a beautiful glow from within, we should focus on getting as many nutrients as possible in our diet. By eating the rainbow, we also provide our bodies with a wide variety of antioxidants. The health benefits of antioxidants are INCREDIBLE as they are compounds that protect your cells from free radical damage that can lead to dull, blemished, uneven skin
and premature aging.
One epic antioxidant is Vitamin C. Not only does it have all the properties of an
antioxidant, but it also helps with our own natural collagen production. In addition, it helps with dry skin, supports our wound healing, and also limits damage from UV
exposure.
Easy ways to include more vitamin C are:
● have kiwis, red bell peppers and berries as a snack
● squeeze fresh lemon and lime juice over almost everything
● add some fresh chillies to your meals if you like it spicy
● drink rosehip tea
● don’t skip on cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and brussel
sprouts
● use papayas as a bowl for your favourite yoghurt
● grate fresh ginger into your stir-fries
Beta-carotene is another powerful antioxidant. Beta carotene is a plant pigment that contributes to the brilliant colour of red, orange, and yellow vegetables and fruits. It is also a provitamin A carotenoid, which means that the body may convert it to vitamin A
(retinol). Beta-potent carotene's antioxidant qualities have been demonstrated to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, are important for our immune system and aid in eye health.
It can also help improve skin complexion, increase the skin's defences against UV radiation, and protect the skin from sun damage.
My favourite ways to include more beta carotene are:
● snack on raw carrots
● make sweet potato fries baked with coconut oil and garlic
● cook a delicious soup out of butternut squash or pumpkin
● sautee some kale with some extra virgin olive oil as an amazing side dish
● blend up a yummy orange creamsicle smoothie
Recipe for a homemade glow shot
● 3 thumb size pieces of ginger
● 2 lemons, peeled
● 2 oranges, peeled
● 3 medium size carrots
● 1/4 cup of filtered water
1. Add everything to a high speed mixer and blend it on high level for 2-3 min
2. Pour it through a strainer or cheesecloth
3. Store it in an air-tight container for up to 7 days in your fridge
I would love to hear from you! Get in touch with me at @nutrinimble
Keep Glowing!
Valerie
