Is your diet making you look older than you are? Unhealthy foods can take a toll on your waistline and your face. Here’s what the experts say to eat to fight wrinkles — and the foods you should limit.
Salmon isn’t just delicious. The fish is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Those tiny powerhouses fight inflammation, and less inflammation equals a healthier complexion.
Barbecues, brunches, and pizza parties are about to get a little less tasty. That’s because hot dogs, bacon, and pepperoni are all highly processed meats stuffed with harmful nitrates and saturated fats. Sorry about that.
You’ve probably heard that whole grains are healthy, but do you know why? For one thing, they’re less processed than the alterative and contain more fiber and other nutrients. They also contain B vitamins, which are essential to health. Folks with B vitamin deficiencies tend to have dry, scaly-looking skin and even rashes.
A glass of red wine with dinner is a sensible choice. But excessive drinking is not. More than 1 or 2 drinks per day can speed up the aging process in addition to the other harmful effects on your health.
Ditch the iceberg lettuce and go for a blend of romaine and spinach instead! Dark green vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamin A and C. Alongside other vitamins and antioxidants on this list, these vitamins help fight inflammation — and fight wrinkles.
If you eat a lot of fried foods, expect your face to eventually look like a chicken nugget. Okay, that’s a bit harsh, but it got your attention, didn’t it? Foods that are deep fried in oil usually contain high amounts of trans fats, which raises your cholesterol and increases inflammation.
Some fruits and vegetables are higher in lycopene, an amazing antioxidant. Consider adding more tomatoes, watermelon, asparagus, grapefruit, and red cabbage to your diet for a lycopene boost!
Eating too much snack food can wreak havoc on your system. Not only do processed snack foods amp up inflammation, but they’re also nutritional sinkholes. Salt can cause facial bloating that’ll make you look older, while sugar can damage collagen, leading to saggy, wrinkled skin.
You don’t need to get all — or even most — of your protein from meat. Beans and lentils are incredible sources of protein and complex carbohydrates. They also pack in plenty of fiber. You need protein to help build healthy skin. Beans are very versatile, too, so don’t shy away from mixing up a delicious meal of whole grains, beans or lentils, and fresh vegetables. Your complexion will thank you!
