If you suffer from oily skin or other skin conditions,
making some changes to your diet can improve your complexion. The research
connecting diet and healthy skin is sparse, according to the Mayo Clinic, but
some key additions and subtractions to diet may result in improvements. If you
suffer from serious skin problems, consult your doctor or a dermatologist.
Low-fat Foods
Fatty foods, fried foods and deep-fried foods typically
contain large amounts of animal fat. These types of foods do not get digested
well and can have a damaging effect on your skin. Instead, eat fresh, whole
foods naturally low in trans-fat and saturated fat. Choose nonfat Greek yogurt
over whole milk and sugary yogurt. Eat grilled fish or skinless poultry instead
of fried chicken. Opt for broth-based sauces, soups, dressings or gravies
instead of creamy ones. Avoid prepared and processed snack and junk foods.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit has extraordinary capabilities. Its high fiber
and water content mean that it fills you up on few calories and it gets
digested quickly. High vitamin C content helps flush fat quickly from your
system. The yellow to orange hue of its skin indicates that it contains
skin-protecting antioxidants. Consume your grapefruit or grapefruit juice
without sugar or syrup to maximize its health benefits.
Raw Food
Dr. Mehmet Oz suggests following a diet rich in raw, whole
foods to improve your skin's health and appearance. His four-week raw food
challenge features a diet of fresh produce, homemade juices, homemade
smoothies, raw nut milk, raw nut butter, soaked raw nuts, sea vegetables,
seaweed, young coconut milk, sprouted grains, cold-pressed olive oil, herbs and
sprouted vegetables. These foods have low energy density and high fiber,
thereby improving digestion and cleansing your body.
Beverages
Drinking water throughout your day hydrates your body and
makes your skin look and feel healthy. Replace sweetened, carbonated and
prepared beverages with water. Avoid vitamin waters and so-called smart waters,
many of which contain sugar, syrup, additives and flavorings that add calories
and offer little nutritious value. Instead of drinking sweet, flavored coffee
beverages, try unsweetened green tea, which is rich in skin-protecting
antioxidants.