Nourish
EAT YOUR WAY TO GLOWING SKIN: TIPS + A RECIPE FROM A NATUROPATH
We all know that eating healthy food is good for our bodies, but did you know it also plays a major role in your skin’s health? According to naturopathic doctor Trevor Cates, what you put inside your body can often be reflected on the outside.
In her new book, Clean Skin from Within: The Spa Doctor’s Two-Week Program to Glowing, Naturally Youthful Skin, Dr. Cates explains that while good nutrition doesn’t necessarily translate to good skin, there are certain types of foods that could either help or hurt your odds. For example, “if you eat foods that are pro-inflammatory, they can trigger ‘skinflammation,’ or internal inflammation that shows up on your skin,” she says.
Check out Dr. Cates’s tips for how to “trEAT” a few of the most common skin conditions, plus a recipe for a skin-healthy (and super-delicious) smoothie.
ACNE
“Eating high-glycemic-index foods raises your blood sugar, which increases insulin, which, in turn, leads to excess sebum production and androgen activity,” notes Cates.
“All of this triggers acne breakouts.” Some of the most common culprits: white bread, shortgrain white rice, sugar, and pretzels.
How to trEAT it: Reduce your sugar intake and eat more balanced meals, plenty of cruciferous vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt.
ECZEMA
Hormones and pro-inflammatory foods can cause flare-ups—think fried food, bagels, chips, sugar, and anything with corn syrup.
How to trEAT it: Eat anti-inflammatory foods, like wild salmon and olive oil, take probiotics, and try to lower your stress levels (hint: barre3 can help!).
WRINKLES (AGING SKIN)
“High blood sugar can cause glycation issues, which speeds up the aging of your skin,” Cates says. Oxidative damage and nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to the issue.
How to trEAT it: Wear zinc oxide-based sunblock and eat antioxidant- and vitamin C-rich foods.
This skin-loving smoothie recipe from the book also happens to be absolutely delicious. A win-win!
RED VELVET SMOOTHIE
The avocado adds a creamy texture—just don’t blend for too long, or its consistency will thicken, resembling mousse. Beets are rich in vitamin C and fiber and contain betaine, which helps decrease inflammation and supports detoxification.
1 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
1⁄2 cup peeled, sliced raw beet
1⁄2 cup frozen cherries
1⁄4 avocado
1 Tbs. flaxseed
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1⁄4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy cold.
We all know that eating healthy food is good for our bodies, but did you know it also plays a major role in your skin’s health? According to naturopathic doctor Trevor Cates, what you put inside your body can often be reflected on the outside.
In her new book, Clean Skin from Within: The Spa Doctor’s Two-Week Program to Glowing, Naturally Youthful Skin, Dr. Cates explains that while good nutrition doesn’t necessarily translate to good skin, there are certain types of foods that could either help or hurt your odds. For example, “if you eat foods that are pro-inflammatory, they can trigger ‘skinflammation,’ or internal inflammation that shows up on your skin,” she says.
Check out Dr. Cates’s tips for how to “trEAT” a few of the most common skin conditions, plus a recipe for a skin-healthy (and super-delicious) smoothie.
ACNE
“Eating high-glycemic-index foods raises your blood sugar, which increases insulin, which, in turn, leads to excess sebum production and androgen activity,” notes Cates.
“All of this triggers acne breakouts.” Some of the most common culprits: white bread, shortgrain white rice, sugar, and pretzels.
How to trEAT it: Reduce your sugar intake and eat more balanced meals, plenty of cruciferous vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt.
ECZEMA
Hormones and pro-inflammatory foods can cause flare-ups—think fried food, bagels, chips, sugar, and anything with corn syrup.
How to trEAT it: Eat anti-inflammatory foods, like wild salmon and olive oil, take probiotics, and try to lower your stress levels (hint: barre3 can help!).
WRINKLES (AGING SKIN)
“High blood sugar can cause glycation issues, which speeds up the aging of your skin,” Cates says. Oxidative damage and nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to the issue.
How to trEAT it: Wear zinc oxide-based sunblock and eat antioxidant- and vitamin C-rich foods.
This skin-loving smoothie recipe from the book also happens to be absolutely delicious. A win-win!
RED VELVET SMOOTHIE
The avocado adds a creamy texture—just don’t blend for too long, or its consistency will thicken, resembling mousse. Beets are rich in vitamin C and fiber and contain betaine, which helps decrease inflammation and supports detoxification.
1 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
1⁄2 cup peeled, sliced raw beet
1⁄2 cup frozen cherries
1⁄4 avocado
1 Tbs. flaxseed
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1⁄4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy cold.
