Skin Healthy Thanksgiving Foods
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a cornucopia full of tasty temptations (can anyone say mashed potatoes with gravy?) Luckily, there are Thanksgiving choices filled with nutritious goodness like vitamins, bioflavonoids and antioxidants that are worthy of a second (or third?) helping. So load up your plate with these holiday favorites for healthy and glowing skin this time of year:
What to Eat for Youthful Skin? Try These Skin Healthy Thanksgiving Foods…
1. Turkey
The main attraction of Thanksgiving is loaded with protein and collagen, which are building blocks for skin, hair and nails. Turkey contains the hormone ghrelin, which will keep your hunger in check as well. Make sure to reach for a piece of dark meat, which packs a bigger vitamin and mineral punch than white meat, boosting its skin care benefit.
2. Sweet Potatoes
These robust beauties offer a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, beta-carotene and potassium. In particular, vitamin C can encourage collagen production and may even reduce the appearance of wrinkles. And vitamin A has been shown to promote new skin cell growth.
3. Cranberries
This Thanksgiving classic is antioxidant, vitamin C and fiber rich. And did you know that some studies have shown that cranberries can help with skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis? Just make sure your sauce is homemade, not canned, to get its full skin healthy benefit.
4. Spinach
The jolly green giant of vegetables, spinach practically contains the whole alphabet of vitamins and a whole host of antioxidants too. Vitamins A, B, C, E and B have been shown to provide anti-aging benefits and even sun protection for the skin. A quick tip: spinach can be added to stuffing to make it healthier.
5. Red Wine
Phytonutrients and antioxidants in red wine make it the perfect accompaniment to your skin-healthy holiday plate. Resveratrol is an antioxidant in grape skins that is known for it’s anti-aging and heart-healthy properties. Flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in red wine have been shown to help combat the damage to the skin caused by free radicals. The key is to make sure the wine that’s in your glass is red….and that you don’t overindulge (that goes for the dessert table too!)
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Smooth Synergy!
