5 ways to snack your way to better skin

5 ways to snack your way to better skin
5 ways to snack your way to better skin

Whether it’s a little pick me up between lunch and dinner, a pudding after your main meal, or an indulgence whilst watching TV, most of us snack. Snacking sensibly can make sure you keep energy levels up and is a good opportunity to boost your vitamin intake. Snacking is often unhealthy as we crave sugary and salty treats. Satisfy your snack-cravings with these healthy alternatives and see the results.

1. Fruit

Snacking on fruit is great for your skin because fruit contains antioxidants which have been shown to protect skin from cellular damage that is caused by free radicals. Blackcurrants and blueberries are rich in Vitamin C, which is essential for a strong immune system, healthy skin, and aiding in the skin's natural healing process of spots.

Fruit doesn’t have to be boring! Add some of your favorite sweet fruits to some Greek yoghurt with a drizzle of honey to get that sugar hit without all the guilt. Alternatively jazz up your fruit bowl by dipping strawberries in chocolate, or combining warm pears with ricotta.

2. It’s time to go over to the dark side

Dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cacao than other chocolate, and lacks much of the added fat and sugar. Plus is it packed full of antioxidants which can help to help regulate levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. By regulating hormone levels, less collagen is broken down and skin appears more youthful.

3. Smoothies

Your skin needs you to drink so that it can stay hydrated and supple. Not drinking enough can lead to blemishes, a lack of luminosity, and some more severe health problems.

If you’re fed up with water, smoothies are a great way to satisfy snack cravings, as they fill you up without you having to reach for the chocolate or crisps. Blitz up your favourite fruits, and curb your cravings until your next meal, whilst keeping skin hydrated.

4.  Sweet Potatoes

For those with acne-prone skin who find that their skin tone is uneven and red, Betacarotene is a great ingredient to be consuming. Found in sweet potatoes, betacarotene promotes healthy skin cell development and an even skin tone.

Substituting your normal potatoes for sweet potatoes doesn’t mean scrimping on flavour or taste. No matter how you cook them you’re still getting the goodness, so make a jacket potato, or a simple mash, and you’ll be helping your skin out!

5. Nuts

We’re talking Brazil nuts rather than nuts coated in flavourings and salt! Nuts are full of skin friendly minerals like zinc and selenium. Whilst these minerals are essential for skin health and function, they are particularly great for those with acne-prone skin. Acne has been linked to a lack of minerals, so by eating foods high in skin-friendly minerals you could be reducing the appearance of your blemishes.

