My Beauty Boosting Diet

By Teresa Cutter.
Good skin starts from within and every meal is an opportunity to nourish your skin. That’s why I love to eat a diet full of antioxidant rich whole foods that give my skin the nourishment it craves. Eating well is the best way to keep your skin radiant, clear and wrinkle free. Here are some of my top anti-ageing, beauty boosting foods to make your skin glow…
Antioxidant Bursting Berries
are rich in vitamin C, which helps to keep the skin firm by aiding collagen production. Collagen gives strength and structure to your skin and is vital for elasticity and firmness. Silica is also a trace mineral found in berries that assists with collagen formation as well as helping improve skin’s hydration and elasticity.
Apples
Quercetin is an antioxidant found in apple peel that provides ultimate protection from UVB rays that trigger wrinkles. The molecular structure of quercetin is ideal for destroying free radicals making it an excellent wrinkle fighter. Look for organic apples without pesticides.
Red and Purple Fruits
These include red grapes and beetroot that contain powerful natural chemicals and antioxidants shown to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. That’s why my Healthy Chef Organic Superfood is made using organic grapes, as well as beetroot which converts into nitric oxide in the body and stimulates blood flow, delivering oxygen to skin cells to facilitate healing.
Carrots
Eating carrots will make your skin glow! They’re rich in carotenoids than convert into retinoic acid (the stuff you buy in expensive face creams) that can delay skin ageing and protect against the damaging effects of the sun.
Go For Greens
Greens such as kale, watercress, cucumber, broccoli and spinach have an incredible protective effect on the skin. They work as a natural anti-inflammatory in the body, alleviate skin inflammation and are rich in B group vitamins that promote thick hair and dewy skin. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are high in sulfur that helps the synthesis of glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants in the body. High levels of glutathione in the body can prevent damage caused by free radicals, which are thought to be the major cause of skin aging.
Go Nuts 
Almond, walnuts and macadamia nuts are rich in Vitamin E that is the most important antioxidant for the skin and protects against age spots. Walnuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that’s a key component of the lubricating layer that keeps skin moist and supple – especially if you’re prone to dryness.
Olive Oil
Like the rest of the body, your skin needs fat to lubricate itself and be able to absorb the vitamins from the food you’re eating, to prevent premature aging. I’m a huge fan of Cold pressed Extra Virgin Olive oil. It’s a beautiful tasting, velvety oil and a rich source of antioxidants and monounsaturated Oleic fatty acids. Spoon generously over your salads and toss in some avocado, another great source of vitamin E, to boost your skin’s vitality and luminosity.
Eat Fish
Fish is high in omega-3 fats that play an important step towards keeping skin healthy. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease inflammation, and may reduce the risk of acne and other skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis. Best sources are found in cold water fatty fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna and anchovies. Another great thing about fish is that it’s high in vitamin D that helps boost elasticity in the skin, stimulate collagen production and enhance radiance. Good vegan sources of omega-3 fats include chia and flaxseeds.
Eat the right protein
Protein is the key nutrient for ageless, beautiful skin. Your skin, hair and nails are made up of protein, so it’s important to include it you’re your diet to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. The amount you consume each day varies slightly depending on your age, weight and activity level. You can find out how much you need from my protein calculator. I love incorporating my Healthy Chef Protein into my morning breakfast smoothies or afternoon goodness shakes and I can see the difference it makes in the health of my skin as well as my digestive and immune system. I’ve designed it to be the purest and highest quality protein supplement available and the highest source of amino acids L-lysine and L-proline, which are essential for the creation of collagen.
Try my Beauty Smoothie…It’s my anti-ageing recipe for healthy glowing skin. Enjoy it for 3 days and you’ll see the difference not only on how you look but how you feel.
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon goji berries
1 tablespoon Healthy Chef Organic Superfood
1 cup coconut water
1 cup macadamia or almond milk (home made)
2 tablespoon Healthy Chef Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tablespoon chia seeds
Combine strawberries, goji berries, my Healthy Chef Organic Superfood, almond milk, coconut water, my Healthy Chef Protein and chia seeds into a high performance blender.
Blend for a few seconds until smooth and creamy.
Pour into a serving glass and enjoy.
Serves 1 – 2
Notes + Inspiration 
Add 1 tablespoon Naked Chocolat for an antioxidant boost.
Add 1 frozen banana for a creamier smoothie or if you’re making a smoothie breakfast bowl – top with yoghurt and granola for breakfast.
For more beauty boosting recipes and inspiration, check out my 80/20 Diet book.