Foods That Help You Glow From The Inside-Out

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You are what you eat”? It holds a lot of truth.

On the surface, what you eat can strongly impact your physical appearance (hair, skin, nails, physique, etc.). On a deeper level, what you eat can have an influence on your cells and the way that your genes are expressed. To better understand this, Dr. Weston Price, a dentist and nutrition researcher, traveled the world for over 10 years researching different diets. He discovered that if we eat natural and local foods, it can help our mental, physical, and dental health.

Get that glow

We’ll keep it simple and talk about the surface-level benefits of a nutritious, natural diet. Our skin is a detoxification organ (like the lymphatic system, digestive system, liver and kidneys). The most obvious form of skin detoxification is sweat, acne, itching and rashes. When our bodies are exposed to toxins from food or the environment, our skin reacts in an adverse way. However, when our bodies are exposed to nutrients from food or the environment (e.g. vitamin D from the sun), you’ll notice clearer skin, stronger nails, thicker hair and an all-over glow.

To look your best and glow from the inside out, we recommend that you focus on…

• Eating antioxidant-rich foods (berries, dark green veggies, tea)

• Getting enough protein at each meal

• Consuming healthy fats

• Reaching your recommended iron requirements each day

• Hydrating for moisture and proper detoxification

Protect yourself with antioxidants

Antioxidants do more than help you glow on the outside. They also help prevent or delay cell damage, which is a natural part of the aging process or when your body is exposed to free radicals like pollution, digestive waste or the sun’s rays. Vitamin A, C, E and selenium are considered antioxidants. You’ll find them in fruits and vegetables like the ones found in our Beet and Berries Smoothie.

Provide structure with protein

Protein is important for beautiful skin, hair and nails. Protein helps create collagen, which contributes to younger-looking, more elastic skin. Try our Beef and Broccoli with Carrots dish for protein and (bonus!) iron. Iron deficiencies can lead to brittle hair, thin nails, and pale skin.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

We talk about hydration a lot here at 8fit and how it benefits digestion, absorption and excretion. When it comes to the skin, not drinking enough water can lead to dry, tight and flaky skin that is more prone to wrinkling. To function optimally, men should drink around 13 cups of water (about 3 liters) and women about 9 cups (about 2.2 liters) spread evenly throughout the day — more in warmer climates or during high-movement days. To improve hydration even more, eat fruits like watermelon and vegetables like cucumber.

Not into plain ol’ water? Try one of our 6 flavored water recipes.

In with the good, out with the bad

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale and bok choy help boost the detoxification powers of the liver. Add more of these veggies to your day by cooking up our Sesame Seared Tuna with Broccoli dish.

Healthy fats give you that glow

Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and nuts. Omega-3s help reduce acne and inflammation which leads to healthy, radiant skin. These fats also help lend you healthy, lustrous locks by decreasing brittleness and dry scalp. Try this Seared Salmon with Rosemary Grapes dish to boost your healthy fat intake.

Search for these recipes in your 8fit recipe book, then add them to your meal plan. Ingredient and portion amounts will automatically adjust to fit your needs.