7 Beauty Foods That Will Help You Glow From The Inside Out

Since my Hysteroscopic Myomectomy, I have made changes to my diet. For me, this looks like less sugar, more water, having a smoothie a day to ensure I get my greens, and eating foods that fight inflammation.

Related: I'm Having My Fibroid Surgically Removed Through My Vagina & I'm Terrified

Now, I haven't exactly mastered the art of cleaner eating. In fact, just last week I had egg rolls and churros from Jack in the Box for lunch, Chick-fil-a for dinner, and two doughnuts in the same day. I'm judging me, too. No lie, each day, I find myself making a conscious effort to stay on the right track with my eating. Recently, however, I'm finding it to be a little easier, and that has a lot to do with the positive residual effect making better food choices has had on my skin.

Needless to say, these days I have a fridge full of food that both makes me feel healthy and that seems to be helping with my hormonal breakouts. Here are seven items to add to your grocery list that will help you glow from the inside out.

1.Water with Lemon

filled clear drinking glass with sliced citrus and green leaf vegetablePhoto by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

A cup of lemon water gives your skin and body dual benefits. Not only do you rehydrate your body after a night of sleep, but the lemon helps with digestion, which is linked to acne. I also find that it gives me a burst of energy without needing a coffee caffeine boost in the morning.

2.Leafy Greens

green leafed plantPhoto by Nathan Nugent on Unsplash

We all know we should be eating our greens daily. With a busy schedule, it can be tough to commit to having the five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables the USDA recommends. One of the easiest ways to get more greens into your diet is to have a green smoothie each day. Spinach, kale, chard are excellent sources of iron (can help with anemia), vitamin C (brightens skin), and vitamin A (helps keep skin firm), and are easy to add to your smoothie recipe. I make my go-to green juice with spinach (I don't like raw kale or chard), blueberries, pineapple, and mango — with a teaspoon of honey. It takes me seven minutes from start to finish to make my smoothie each morning on my way out the door.

Eating greens is not only credited with keeping your digestive tract healthy (which contributes to healthy skin) but are packed with vitamins that help cells make collagen keeping away fine lines and wrinkles.

3.Salmon

fish with onions and asparagusPhoto by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

The verdict is still out on if the "L" is silent (OK, I know it is, but to each their own, right?), but there is no question this fatty fish has beauty benefits and basically cooks itself in fifteen minutes flat. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon not only reduce inflammation, but the flavorful fish helps cells produce collagen and keratin that help skin retain moisture.

4.Flaxseeds

three toasted bread on brown chopping boardPhoto by Wesual Click on Unsplash

Flaxseeds are now a staple in my diet. They are known to help balance hormones and like salmon are full of omega fatty acids that can speed up healing and combat inflammation. Flaxseeds are easy to add to your diet. Each morning, I enjoy them on top of a bowl of steel cut oats with mango and honey drizzle.

5.Blueberries

blueberries on white ceramic containerPhoto by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Blueberries are tiny but mighty. With more antioxidants than green tea, blueberries are the ultimate superfood. Their rich purple, blue color are made of compounds called anthocyanins — an antioxidant that protect skin from free radicals that can damage collagen in our skin.

6.Pineapple

orange and green pineapple fruitsPhoto by Phoenix Han on Unsplash

Pineapples are especially good for reducing inflammation and digestive issues because of the powerful enzyme bromelain. Digestive health is one of the key contributors to breakouts and, if you're not a kombucha fan or take probiotics, adding this tropical fruit to your diet might be just what you need!

7.Sweet Potatoes

French friesPhoto by Sarah Gualtieri on Unsplash

Sweet potatoes are my absolute favorite for two reasons — they cook themselves (Well, once I pop them in the oven) and make skin glow because of their carotenoid-rich makeup. Looking for health benefits beyond glowing skin, carotenoids rich foods protect against breast and ovarian cancers.

Making small changes to your diet can have a significant impact on your skin and your overall health. My goal is to continue to eat well to ensure I don't need another surgery to deal with my fibroids since I learned that I still have quite a few hanging out in my body. If taking this route gives me healthier skin along the way, I am here for that, too!

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