With Thanksgiving just days away all the facial masks, creams, cleansers and serums may not be enough to clear away the damage that holiday feasts can cause. Sure the food is delicious but is also can leave you dealing with problematic, irritated skin. Luckily there is a simple solution that involves just walking into your kitchen! You and I both know that healthy eating is always the best option when it comes to overall well-being, but how does what you put in your body directly affect your skin? I'll tell you exactly what to eat (and drink) to keep your complexion glowing this holiday season! Who says you can't eat your way to gorgeous skin?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
I know, before you roll your eyes and say, “Duh Pia,” it's important to know why it's so necessary to replenish your body with a healthy dose of water! Your body is made up of so much water. Mostly water, in fact. Meaning, you need to drink as much as possible to flush all the toxins out! Your skin is one of the “eliminating” organs, so whenever there is any toxicity in the body it will eliminate it though your skin. Ie. post-party breakouts! An old rule of thumb was to drink eight glasses a day. Sorry, turns out this is not enough! The reality is that you're supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. Not a fan of plain old water? Add lemon! Not only does it give it a tasty kick but it's great for your skin, clearing up acne in no time. If you're trying to rebalance your digestive system this holiday season aim to drink the juice of two lemons a day.
Pass the green juice, please.
If you're battling a war with acne that just won't go away, pick up whatever you're eating and look at the ingredients. If there is a paragraph of words that you don't recognize, please, toss it in the trash! For clear, radiant skin eat foods in their most natural state possible. How do you do that? Say goodbye to processed foods and hello to juice, green juice in particular! The dark, leafy greens in cold-pressed juices give your body the vitamins and nutrients it craves and, in time, it will show in your newly clear complexion. So, if a large plate of salad doesn't sound appealing, juice is the perfect solution. Kale and spinach, which is the typical base to most green juices, don't have a strong flavor when blended with sweet fruits because they mask the taste. Mixing spinach or kale with apples, lemons and even melon gives you all the nutrients you need and seriously tastes amazing! How does your skin respond? It takes on a gorgeous radiance. Cold-pressed juices deliver nutrients straight into your bloodstream so your organs don't have to filter so much through digestion. It's truly a no-brainer to healthy, glowing skin! Green juices are loaded with nourishing minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, giving you the energy and foundation to create glowing skin. If you're not into juicing, try raw foods such as cucumbers, berries, onions, salmon (cooked) and chia seeds. Each will bring you one step closer to beautifully, luminous skin!
Move over, milk.
If cheese, yogurt and milk are staples in your diet you may want to kick them to the curb. Dairy is mucus-forming and acid-forming. What does that mean for your body? It's very hard to digest. There are many plant-based forms of calcium, such as almonds, sesame seeds and green veggies that you can replace your dairy with. I highly advise cutting back or eliminating dairy to see how your skin and energy levels react. If you notice a drastic change you may be better off without it all together! Just remember to supplement your diet with calcium each day.
Indulge your sweet tooth.
I can't tell you how many people tell me they can't eat chocolate because it will cause breakouts. Not true! Raw cacao is actually a superfood. It has a very high amount of antioxidants, which are superstars for your skin. Eating healthy foods to clear your skin up doesn't mean cutting out your favorite foods. Instead, eating a small amount of dark chocolate daily can curb your sweet cravings. So indulge a little, your skin will thank you!
Take your time.
Eating healthy, especially during the holiday season can be tricky. The best advice I can give you is to not completely cut out foods that may be affecting your skin but to wean yourself off of processed foods and into whole, natural foods that are healthy for your body. It's natural to want to overhaul your diet ASAP during the holiday season but try to take it slow so you don't become discouraged. Trust me, aiming for progress, not perfection, will lead to more lasting, visible results!
