Friday, 10 September 2010
How many times have you heard that you are what you eat? I’m reminded of that fact whenever I’m pulling on tight jeans or having a no-energy day, but too often I forget to make the connection between what I eat and the way my SKIN looks. The “Today” show’s nutrition expert, Joy Bauer, one of my favorite guests, came by our studio to tell us which beauty superfoods should be at the top of our shopping lists.
One of the reasons I love talking to Joy is because she has an encyclopedic knowledge of everything edible. Her recipes are all about packing as much supportive nutrition into each meal as possible. Here’s Joy’s list of the 7 items we all need to start working into our meals asap:
Red Bell Pepper. Everyone thinks citrus fruits corner the market on vitamin C but one red pepper has 2 to 3 times more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C keeps skin healthy because it helps protect us from the sun (which also means it’s an anti-ager) and it’s a key nutrient in collagen production, which keeps skin firm.
Avocado. This unsaturated, heart-healthy fat helps keep skin moist and it contains vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, which protects skin from aging.
Shrimp. This iron-rich protein helps us grow thick, shiny hair and strong nails while the zinc in shrimp is great for our skin.
Sweet Potato. Beta-carotene is important for new skin cell turnover and these have a ton.
Kale. This vegetable powerhouse is packed with both beta-carotene and vitamin C.
Wild Salmon. This fish is loaded with omega-3 fats, which keep toxins out of cells and allow good ingredients in.
Wheat Germ. Joy loves this excellent source of vitamin E and Zinc for its versatility. She suggests sprinkling some on yogurt or oatmeal in the morning. Mix wheat germ and whole wheat flour to bread chicken cutlets.
For more info, check out joy’s website, joybauernutrition.com, and pick up a copy of her most recent cookbook, ‘Slim & Scrumptious’, which uses lots of the superfoods on her list. I recommend the crispy kale!
Do you have any go-to foods that make your skin look and feel good? Let us know!
