Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Published : October 15, 2015 6:07 PM IST
What you eat affects your skin in many ways. Fighting those breakouts is not just about what you apply on your skin but what you consume too. Here is a diet meal plan by nutritionist Priya Kathpalto help you fight acne.
Eat foods with low glycemic index
Anything high in sugar can play havoc on your insulin levels, leading to growth in pore-clogging cells and increased activity of oil glands -- both leading to acne. Therefore, focus on foods with low GI like fruits and non-starchy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and cabbage. Eat whole fruits instead of fruit juices, as it has a higher glycemic index. Make sure you have a bowl of sabzi for your lunch or dinner. You can try this healthy cabbage and coconut poriyal for lunch.
Increase your liquid intake
Increasing water intake is a great way to keep your skin hydrated and increase overall blood flow. Therefore, plenty of fluids in your diet is a must. Drink at least eight glasses of water in a day and drink a glass of coconut water or vegetable juice daily. These 9 healthy vegetable juices are a must-try.
Up your intake of omega 3 fatty acids
Include lots of fish, walnuts, flaxseeds to get enough omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 will control the production of leukotriene B4, which increases sebum and inflammatory acne growth. Try to eat a grilled fish for lunch or dinner. You can also try these healthy and delicious fish recipes.
Munch on nuts
Include nuts in your evening snacks often, especially Brazil nuts as they are rich in selenium that protects the skin cells from inflammatory damage and helps preserve skin elasticity.
Consume vitamin E-rich foods
Vitamin E is great for healing the skin from damage and scars caused by acne. Eat whole grains, eggs, nuts and unrefined oils to attain this nutrient. If you are looking for a healthy and tasty way to include whole grains in your diet, we have these jowar uttappam and bajra roti recipes for you.
Get the antioxidants from tomatoes
Eat lots of tomatoes, especially in cooked form. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene that helps increase the natural SPF in the skin. This tomato kadhi contains plenty of antioxidants you require for a glowing skin. Also, try this tomato corn soup.
Don't forget green tea
Drink at least two cups of green tea daily to improve your skin health. Green tea helps boost blood flow and oxygen to the skin, delivering the essential nutrients for a healthy complexion.
Stock up on kidney beans
Kidney beans can help zap your zits. They are rich in zinc that have healing properties and can reduce blemishes. To get your dose of zinc, treat your taste buds with this delicious Punjabi rajma for dinner.
Image source: Getty Images
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