Have you ever noticed how awful your skin looks after a night of eating junk food or having a little bit too much to drink? You’re not imagining things. Processed foods and beverages, including dairy products and sugary alcoholic drinks, wreak havoc on our bodies and can cause inflammation that surfaces in the most inopportune places.
Blackheads, pimples, red spots, and dry patches are all ways our bodies let us know that what we’re eating isn’t jiving with our systems. Fortunately, following a vegan meal plan has an equally as significant impact on your complexion. Loaded with vitamins and nutrients that keep your skin firm, radiant, and blemish-free, fruits and veggies are nature’s answer to the incessant battle against constantly irritated skin.
If you’re the type of person who struggled with acne your entire teenage life and into adulthood, it’s time to throw out those harsh chemicals and stop wasting money on facials. Everything you need for a beautiful, clear complexion can be found at your local farmers’ market or in your own backyard. For a truly radiant glow, eat these six vegan foods for healthy skin.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, which boasts anti-aging properties and acts like a sunscreen from within. Plus, tomatoes’ acidic nature helps tighten pores and prevent breakouts. Make a simple, delicious salad by dicing some homegrown tomatoes and serving them with fresh basil.
- Sweet Potato
Yummy in everything from soup to enchiladas, sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A and C. Load up on this orange root vegetable to help fight acne-causing bacteria, improve your skin tone, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and heal past acne scars. - Spinach
In addition to sunscreen, you may want to take a batch of our Israeli Couscous with Spinach and Almonds to the beach this weekend. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that consuming spinach reduces the risk of developing skin tumors by more than 40 percent.
- Dark Chocolate
Okay, so dark chocolate isn’t a fruit or a vegetable. But it does contain anti-aging antioxidants called flavonoids. Aside from be delicious, dark chocolate has also been shown to prevent cancer and heart disease. Eat a couple of dark chocolate squares on their own for a sweet treat with loads of benefits.
- Walnuts
Walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help lock moisture and nutrients in the skin. They also contain a rare and powerful antioxidant that makes your skin appear smooth and glowing. Chop and add walnuts to any salad or make a batch of our Kale Walnut Pesto Pasta and watch your skin transform seemingly overnight.
- Carrots
Loaded with beta-carotene, carrots are a must-have for healthy skin. Not only do they make your skin glow, carrots also fight wrinkles and have been shown to protect people with sensitive skin from sunburns. Keep it simple by pairing carrot sticks with hummus, or treat yourself to a Carrot Dreamsicle Smoothie.
Vegetable puree
Spinachs have a lot of great properties! I like your advices!