Happy June everyone!
If you’re like me, you’re accepting every invitation and chance to sit outside and enjoy the warm June sun. Patio brunches, tanning outside and morning runs are some of the many outdoor activities that I absolutely love during the Summer! It’s obvious we’re exposed to UVA and UVB rays now more than ever but there are a few superfoods you can incorporate in your diet to accelerate the healing process of sun damage and keep your skin hydrated!
These superfoods were introduced to me by my mom and sister who always stress the importance of prioritizing your health in order to enjoy success in other areas of your life! Hence the title hashtag.
Collagen
Your body naturally produces collagen to hold your bones and muscles together, protect your organs and to create skin elasticity. As you age, the rate of which collagen is produced decreases hence the aging skin. Collagen is the key ingredient for creating strength and elasticity for your skin!
Best collagen-sourced foods are bone broth, chicken, beef, egg whites and fish. A high-protein diet is obvious to increase collagen in your body however collagen powder supplements are a great option too!
My go-to methods:
I enjoy taking my time and eating my meals however when I’m on the go or at work I opt for collagen powder supplements. I came across Sproos Up Your Skin & Hair brand a few months ago and this collagen supplement is an easy, flavoured powder that can be added to your drink. This specific supplement has marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and zinc just to name a few ingredients best for tackling aging skin and inflammation.
Vitamin C
You know the saying – an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well for me, it’s more of an orange.
The skin is comprised of two important layers. The first is the epidermal outer layer and the second, inner dermal layer that is responsible for strength and elasticity. Normal skin has balanced levels of Vitamin C in both layers of skin that stimulate collagen development (more on this later) and protection against UV rays.
It only makes sense to keep skin synthesis optimal. An extra boost of Vitamin C – whether it’s in creams, serums or food choices – it’s beneficial to forming important proteins in skin, blood vessels and healing wounds and scar tissue.
The best high Vitamin C food options are:
Fruits like mango, berries, papaya, watermelon, and kiwi. For vegetables, consider green and red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes and leafy greens.
As a side note, steaming or microwaving some of these vegetables is a better option as it reduces the amount of nutrients lost
My go-to methods:
It’s summer, it’s hot, and easy to get sweaty. I’m not a fan of Vitamin C pill/powder supplements and would opt for these fruits as mid day snacks or throwing a few of these vegetables in my lunches. Keeping it simple for this one.
Vitamin E
As a young teen, my mom bought my skin care products and would hand them over only after explaining why she chose the Vitamin E-based products.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant – meaning it prevents cell damage by removing harmful cells and radicals. This ingredient is important for accelerating the healing process of sun damage. It also has calming, anti-inflammatory properties which is why it’s found in most eye creams.
Best nutritional sources of Vitamin E are nuts and seeds (peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds), spinach, avocado, Aloe Vera juice, olive oil and shrimp.
My go-to-methods:
I love trail mix and aloe vera juice- nuts are an easy snack to carry around and aloe vera juice is a great alternative to sugary drinks. There is a variety of foods from which you can obtain Vitamin E from. Choose whichever works for you.
Strengthen and heal your skin from the inside out. Small changes in your diet will go a long way. Like me, feel free to adopt these vitamins in your diet if you haven’t already and let me know what you think!
– Rasha
LiveLifeInTheFloralLane 