What to Eat to Keep Yourself Looking Younger

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Consistently giving your body the nutrients it needs can keep you looking younger than the date on your birth certificate.

We’re all after that youthful glow that inevitably fades with age, which is why skincare is a multi-billion dollar industry. The secret, though, is that if you’re eating a well-balanced diet, you can maintain a youthful glow while keeping money in your pocket.

Here’s how changing what you put inside your body can have a massive impact on the way you look.

First, Here’s What You Shouldn’t Eat

Before you start making a new shopping list and drive to the grocery store to stock up on healthy foods, you first need to take inventory and figure out what you currently have in your kitchen that you need to get rid of.

If you want to start eating a healthier diet, then you must reduce your sugar intake. Not only does sugar contribute to weight gain, but it also drains your body of energy and ages your skin, all of which can make you look older than you really are.

Not to mention, sugary drinks like juice and soda can turn your teeth yellow, or worse, cause them to rot and decay.

Although it may seem impossible to completely stop eating sugar, there are things you can do to cut down the amount of sugar you consume.

Something as simple as choosing water over soda or juice and swapping white bread for whole wheat bread can reduce your sugar intake by hundreds of grams a day.

It’s important to cut down on the amount of salt you’re eating as well. Too much sodium can leave you with dry skin, puffy eyes, and acne-prone skin.

It can also deplete your skin of collagen, which is the supplement that keeps your skin looking young and supple.

If you want to reduce the amount of salt you consume, start by replacing your sodium-rich potato chips with a snack that doesn’t contain as much salt.

Snacks like apples with peanut butter or trail mix can give you that same salty crunch that you crave without all the extra sodium.

Lastly, you’ll want to avoid drinking alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, there are zero known benefits to drinking alcohol—i.e. having a glass of red wine a night is not good for your heart and it’s also making you look older.

Frequent alcohol consumption leads to dry skin, dilated pores (meaning more blackheads) and a dull complexion. These same effects can also be seen in those who regularly consume a lot of caffeine.

If you’re someone who simply can’t give up your nights out, then the best thing you can do for your skin is to chase every serving of alcohol with a glass of water to offset the dehydration process.

It may be a little unrealistic for you to completely let go of these habits, so the key is to let yourself indulge in moderation. There are plenty of sustainable diet programs that can teach you how to create healthy meals and snacks without letting go of your favorites.

Next, Here’s What You Should Eat

Greek Yogurt

Not only is yogurt a delicious breakfast option and a yummy quick snack, but it’s also full of protein and vitamin B-12 which gives you healthy-looking skin and strong nails and skin.

There are many different ways you can incorporate it into your diet, including using it as a substitute for sour cream or including it in a protein shake or smoothie to give it a thicker, creamier texture.

Tomatoes

If you’re someone who always forgets to put on sunscreen before leaving the house, tomatoes should definitely be a staple in your diet. They contain lycopene, which has the ability to naturally protect your skin from UV radiation.

Tomatoes have also been linked to having anti-aging properties like reducing dark spots and wrinkles, as well as increasing collagen production. So the next time you’re asked if you want tomatoes on your burger, make sure to say yes!

Citrus Fruits 

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and other citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C, a super vitamin that works wonders for your skin, hair, and nails.

Vitamin C aids in collagen production, reduces dark spots, and can also protect you from UV rays. If you want to look younger, these foods should have a special place in your diet, and their juices can even be applied topically for added youthful benefits.

Sweet Potatoes

If you ask any dermatologist what ingredient should be present in your skincare products to give you younger-looking skin, they’ll tell you it’s retinol.

But what they might not tell you is sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, which when eaten converts to retinol in your body.

Sweet potatoes can also naturally brighten your skin, saving you from having to buy expensive treatments and cremes that provide the same result.

Almonds

Almonds are a great alternative to snacking on chips all day. They’re a fantastic source of antioxidants and vitamin E, which evens out your complexion and limits the amount of free radicals in the body, which are linked to aging.

These nuts also contain lots of biotin and protein, providing your nails and hair with the nutrients they need to grow stronger and healthier.

Oily Fish

Salmon, tuna, sardines, and other oily fish are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, an anti-inflammatory agent that prevents acne, redness, and irritation caused by skin diseases like eczema.

Your skin will thank you if you eat these types of fish if you start eating these types of fish, especially if you’re incorporating the rest of this list into your diet! If you’re not big into eating fish, taking a fish oil supplement can get you the same results.

Are You Eating Healthy Enough?

While you can certainly improve your skin by buying topical creams and sticking to a rigid skincare routine, consistently giving your body the nutrients it needs can make you look and feel way younger than the date on your birth certificate!