These Are The Top Foods For Glowing Skin, According To A Nutritionist

We all know the phrase 'you are what you eat' but let's be real for a moment: sometimes, all we want to eat is a bowl of Cacio e Pepe and a gaint glass of Whispering Angel. But three nights (and a hunk of cheese later) our skin doesn't exactly thank us for it.

And while we already know that getting our five-a-day is the key to a glowing complexion, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, we couldn't help but wonder - are there any foods that can give our skin an extra helping hand in the radiance department, especially if we've been, shall we say, slacking on the ol' fruit and veg intake?

So we reached out to nutritionist Jenna Hope and asked her to share with us her top foods for a glowing complexion. The good news is that brunch features heavily, so we'll take that as our cue to book a table at Granger & Co for the next five upcoming Saturdays.

What Are The Best Foods For Glowing Skin?

1. Salmon

"Salmon is well known for its omega-3 concentrations which plays an important role in reducing inflammation and supporting skin cell barrier function," advises Jenna. There are two types of active forms of omega-3 (EPA & DHA), both of which can be found in salmon. "EPA plays an important role in supporting hydration in the skin through regular moisture production and DHA is key in promoting soft and supple skin cells.

Try incorporating 1-2 portions of oily fish per week. Salmon is a type of oily fish and others include mackerel, sardines, anchovies and herring too."

2. Avocados

"Avocados contains monounsaturated fatty acids, a type of healthy fat which are important for supporting the structure of skin cells," explains Jenna. "What’s more is that avocados also contain Vitamin C which plays a crucial role in supporting the production of collagen. Collagen is the protein which leaves the skin looking and feeling soft and supple! Try adding avocados into your omelettes, salads or even snacking on guac and oatcakes through the day."

3. Eggs

"Another brunch favourite - eggs are nutritional powerhouses and are a great source of a number of nutrients such as choline, Vitamin B12, protein and biotin to name just a few. Biotin (otherwise known as Vitamin B7) also contributes to the maintenance of normal skin health."

Not a fan of eggs? Biotin can also be found in beef, sweet potatoes, almonds and tuna.

4. Nuts

"Nuts are not only rich in protein which is important for skin cell structure and healthy fats which are required for supporting skin cell barriers, they’re also rich in copper," explains Jenna. "Copper plays an important role in supporting normal pigmentation of the skin. Other foods containing copper include: eggs, meat, dark chocolate and seafood."

5. Seeds

"Seeds are rich in zinc which is well known to supporting normal skin cell function. Zinc helps to reduce inflammation and works alongside Vitamin C to aid the production of collagen. Zinc can also be found in wholegrains, oysters, spinach, shrimp and flaxseeds."

Now that you've discovered the best foods for glowing skin, why not ramp up the radiance even more with our pick of the best vitamin C serums…

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