Tips For Healthy looking skin
By Debbie Rossi

EAT A WELL-BALANCED DIET

To remain healthy, your skin needs a regular and well-balanced supply of nutrients. You may not need any supplements, provided you look after your skin and you are generally healthy. Try to eat at least five portions of fresh vegetables or fruits every day: this should be quite easy if you have two pieces of fruit as desserts or snacks, plus a salad or vegetable dish with two meals.

Bad skin is not generally caused by any one food, unless it is an allergic reaction, but particular foods can aggravate poor skin.

It can be true that chocolate, sweets and other fatty and sugary foods causes pimples: an eating pattern high in these foods and low in fresh, vegetables means that your skin is unlikely to be getting all the nutrients and vitamins it needs. Women who would rather eat a bar of chocolate or a bag of crisps than an orange, for example, may lack vitamin C. This can make your immune system less able to fight infections, including those on the skin. In addition, women often eat more chocolate at times when they are feeling down, whether emotionally, hormonally or physically, which also has a negative effect on the skin. We've all heard that you are what you eat, and if you eat highly refined fatty foods, then its going to be no surprise to see oily outbreaks reflect on your face.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

One of the commonest causes of tired-looking skin is dehydration, both on the surface and throughout the body. Aim to re-hydrate your body by drinking two to three litres of water a day. This should ideally be taken as plain or lightly flavoured, unsweetened water and not tea, coffee or other caffeine-containing or sugary drinks.

CUT DOWN ON TEA AND COFFEE

Women who drink a lot of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cola-type drinks are more likely to have tired-looking skin and to suffer from conditions such as greasy skin and spots. This is because these drinks contain caffeine, which prevents your body from making good use of the vitamins and minerals from your food. Try to drink no more than three cups of coffee, tea or other caffeine containing drinks a day. Remember that these drinks are actually diuretic in nature and strip your body of essential nutrients

KEEP YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE LOW

Excessive alcohol intakes may lead to skin problems such as split veins. Try not to drink more than you have to, and keep the wine and alcohol for essential occasions only.

TRY TO GIVE UP SMOKING

Nicotine does not help you keep a healthy skin. It attacks the blood vessels that feed the skin with nutrients and oxygen, as well as those that drain away the waste products from the skin. Your skin therefore becomes poor at ridding itself of unwanted substances and in severe cases also starts to lack oxygen. It is also a prime offender of wrinkles, and lines. Its not a very attractive look. Try to also keep out of smoke filled pubs and clubs, and get a little natural fresh air.

Author: Debbie Rossi

Personal Trainer Cert III, Cert IV Fitness AIF Master Trainer
Australian Grand Master Champion
EAS Body-for-LIFE Challenge Year 2002
Official Australian Body for Life Ambassador
Debbie works from her "desire" studios based on Sydney's northern beaches.You can contact Debbie through her website www.desirefitness.com.au