7 miracle foods for healthy skin
By Emily Dorn (LHJ)
Updated: 2006-08-14 16:07
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Kiwi
An uncelebrated hero of supple skin is kiwi. This tangy-sweet treat packs more vitamin C per ounce than practically any other fruit. Vitamin C helps maintain the collagen in our skin, keeping it firm. But this nutrient can quickly evaporate through exposure to air, water, or heat, Moores says. Kiwi is an ideal carrier since it locks in the juicy benefits firmly beneath its furry skin.
Serving size: 1 medium fruit
Calories: 46
Quick tip: For a quick and easy way to peel kiwi, cut the ends off first. The rest should be a cinch.
Sunflower Seeds
Slow down the development of saggy, wrinkled skin by spooning sunflower seeds over salad. These seeds are replete with vitamin E -- a powerful antioxidant that decelerates the aging of skin cells, keeping us looking younger longer. Vitamin E is also known for its ability to diminish the appearance of scars.
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 324
Quick tip: Pair unsalted sunflower seeds with raisins for a snack that strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet.
Turkey
Choose turkey over other lunchtime meats for its high concentration of zinc. "This mineral maintains collagen and elastin fibers that preserve skin's elasticity and firmness," says Moores. The healthiest variety to ask for at your grocery's deli counter? Roasted or smoked; flavored turkey, such as honey turkey or turkey pastrami, contains sugar and salt additives.
Serving size: 3-4 ounces
Calories: about 120
Quick tip: Instead of a sandwich, toss turkey with spinach leaves. The latter is another nutritious food packed with zinc.
Tea
Dietitians continue to debate just how much liquid we should consume each day, but for Moores, the requisite eight to 10 glasses still stands. "Our body is 70 to 80 percent water, and if we are not drinking enough, our cells don't regenerate and remove waste, resulting in a buildup of impurities." Moores suggests alternating glasses of water with hot tea or unsweetened iced tea -- green or black. These beverages boast their own supply of acne-fighting antioxidants and phytonutrients (healthy substances from plants).
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 2
Quick tip: To avoid diluting your delicious cold brew with plain ice, fill ice trays with tea. Add a few cubes just before you drink!