In the summer, when bare skin is in, we take the time to protect it by keeping hydrated and using sunscreen. Summer is also the best time of year for fresh foods that promote healthy skin from the inside. The foods that work best are those that are high in vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, and other nutrients that protect your skin cells and help fight and reverse the damage that the summer sun can cause.
Fruits and vegetables also have a high water content. Along with drinking plenty of water, they help flush toxins from your system and give your skin a healthy glow.
1. Yellow and orange – What do carrots, apricots, mangoes, cantaloupe, and yellow peppers all have in common? Aside from their bright, summer colors, they all contain vitamins A and C, potassium, beta carotene, and other nutrients for healthy skin.
Try dicing up mangoes, yellow peppers, and tomatoes. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice, some cilantro, and a pinch of sea salt for a fresh summer salsa.
2. Greens – Spinach and other green leafy vegetables are not only an excellent source of fiber and calcium, they are packed with anti-oxidant vitamins, and beta-carotene, which helps slow the growth of skin cancer cells.
There is nothing better in the summer time than a fresh green salad. A favorite of mine is baby spinach with fresh raspberry vinaigrette and walnuts.
3. Red – Tomatoes, more than any other fruit, are a summer staple, and probably the most versatile of the bunch. They can be grilled, stewed, chopped up in salads and salsa; the number of possibilities for adding this food to your diet are many.
Tomatoes are one of the few foods to contain the phyto-chemical lycopene, which protects against skin and other cancers, vitamin C, A, and beta-carotene.
