4 FEED YOUR SKIN
Crash diets are never a good idea. Lisa Borg, nutritional therapist at the Pulse Light Clinic, proves that small, healthy swaps can have big, glow-giving results.
Simple switches
Borg advises limiting addictive sugary foods to two-to-three times a week. “Try adding in an apple a day. Sufficient water intake is a magic bullet for healthy skin, too, so drink a glass of water every two hours minimum.”
Skin snacks
Borg suggests carrying a small box of healthy snacks, such as nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans), raisins, celery and carrot sticks to ward off hunger pangs between meals. “Avocado is also a great choice,” she says. “It’s packed with antioxidant vitamins C and E, plus healthy fats, which are antiinflammatory for the skin.”
Fat check
“Nuts should be avoided by acne sufferers due to their high levels of omega-6 fats,” Borg warns. “Although omega-6 are considered healthy fats, they do trigger the inflammatory response if they are not in a good ratio with antiinflammatory omega-3 fats – most of which come from oily fish, which is often lacking in the western diet.”
Trick yourself
Borg points out that one juice, smoothie or portion of homemade soup could provide all of your five-a-day. Other suggestions for making vegetables more palatable include celery with cream cheese, tuna salsa or broccoli drizzled with olive oil. “Eating veggies with a bit of fat actually assists with their digestion,” Borg explains.