Eating For Healthy Summer Skin

What you put in your body is just as important as what you use on your skin. Healthy eating combined with the proper skin care is always a winning combination for beautiful skin. There is no better time to start healthy eating than the summer. We have some skin healthy food options and drink ideas to keep your skin radiant and your taste buds satisfied all season long.

Summer Fruits

Nothing says summertime like fresh fruit. Berries, melons, plums and peaches are ripest in the warm months of summer. Many of the summer fruits are great sources of Vitamin A, C, and antioxidants which promote skin health. Stone fruit like apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines are fantastic when grilled. Just brush with a little olive oil or canola oil, salt and pepper and grill for a few minutes on either side. They are great in salads, served plainas a side dish or topped with ice cream. Refreshing summer fruits are always a great way to treat yourself in the summer heat. The Food Network’s Sunny Anderson has a great Fruit Salad recipe with an added twist.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great meal during the summer, and they are packed with tons of goodness. Adding your favorite summer berries or veggies, non fat yogurt, honey, and ice will give you a great filling morning meal option. In addition to having a healthy light meal the berries are packed with antioxidants that help protect your skin from premature aging. 

Summer Veggies

The summer season brings some great vegetables into bloom. Peppers of all colors, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, long green beans, okra, summer squashes, and tomatoes are just some of the veggies that are best at this time of year. Take a stroll through your local farmers market and pick from the best of produce in your region. If you’re not sure what you may like, talk to the farmers, they have a wealth of knowledge usually let you sample the produce. One of our favorite cooking duos, The Neely’s, have a great Basil and Tomato Green Bean recipe that is perfect for fresh picks from the farmers’ market.

Fresh Fish

Fresh fish is a great and light alternative to red meats during the summer season. Fish like salmon, tuna, or snapper are the best for your skin because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are a good source of Vitamins A and D. Baked, grilled, or steamed these fish selections are great summer meal options paired with veggies or alone. To prevent fish from sticking when grilling, lightly brush a piece of aluminum foil with oil or spray with non-stick spraty (before placing on the grill) and lay on top of grate. Try this Emeril Lagasse Grilled Salmon recipe.

Flavored Water

The summer season is all about keeping your body and skin hydrated. And for those of you that aren’t H₂O enthusiasts, try enticing your tastebuds with a bit of flavor. There are plenty of flavored waters on the market but they are often full of unhealthy sugars. Try cutting up some of your favorite summer fruits or veggies adding them to your water for a bit of flavor. Some of our favorite combinations are lemon and lime, watermelon and mint, strawberry and blueberry, and cucumber is great with watermelon, lemon or lime and even mint.  Adding any of these or your own creation can help to curb your cravings for sugary beverages. The longer you let the fruit sit in the water, the more intense the flavor becomes.