Diet

Easy Diet Swaps for Glowing Skin

Want youthful, flawless and healthy skin? It may be time to edit your grocery list and embark on a healthy skin diet

by Anna Jimenez, Allie Flinn

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Healthy Skin Diet: Skip the Ice Cream Most sugary desserts, like cookies, cake and beloved ice cream, are packed with sugar (which is part of the reason why they're so delicious). But you should think twice before digging into that slice of pie.

"Eating tons of sugar forms advanced glycation end products (commonly shortened, appropriately, to AGEs), which cause protein fibers in the body to become stiff and malformed," says Dendy Engelman, MD, board certified dermatologic surgeon and associate at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (she also works with the flawless Sofia Vergara).

Unfortunately for your glowing complexion, the proteins most prone to glycation are collagen and elastin -- aka the proteins that make your skin plump and springy. "When those proteins hook up with renegade sugars, they become discolored, weak, and less supple; this shows up on the skin's surface as wrinkles, sagginess and a loss of radiance," explains Engelman. (Talk about a bad one-night-stand).

Plus, these AGEs make your complexion more vulnerable to assailants like UV light and cigarette smoke. "So you get a double whammy when it comes to aging."

SEE NEXT PAGE: Healthy Skin Diet: Eat Dark Chocolate or an Acai Bowl Instead

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Older comments

It's really just about balanced eating habits. I can still have milk, ice cream and cake as long as I eat more spinach and fish.

by Helmi Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 02:33PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaC123 Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 06:38AM Report as inappropriate

Our skin reflects what we eat. So it is very essential to eat healthy and nutritious food to keep your skin young and beautiful.

by skincaretalks Friday, November 2, 2012 at 02:17AM Report as inappropriate

@dannyf54 Wine is full of sugar. You are better off having a light beer if you go out for a drink. Some studies actually say alcohol (in moderation) is good for you. Depends on who is promoting and/or funding the study. Alcohol does dry the skin though. Better yet, skip the alcohol all together, and have a big glass of water!

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 02:40PM Report as inappropriate

Fish is the best! Lots of water, and avoid white flour and starchy foods!

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 02:35PM Report as inappropriate

This article has some great points but it kinda made me feel bad when it says alcohol was one of the bad items. I dont drink a lot but i do have a drink or two when i go out! Ill have to work on that. Will wine do the same?

by danny54f Friday, October 12, 2012 at 08:10AM Report as inappropriate

No surprises here...

by Chris213 Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 07:27PM Report as inappropriate

Great list of good things to eat.

by Ydabney Monday, July 30, 2012 at 12:41PM Report as inappropriate

nuts, yogurt, berries. yum, yum, yum!!

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 01:42AM Report as inappropriate

I just bought frozen blueberries to add to my smoothies. I'll need to buy good yogurt too.

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 01:35AM Report as inappropriate