Your Go-To Meal Plan for Glowing Skin

At Skincare.com we believe that healthy-looking, glowing skin starts from within. Let’s face it, the age old adage is true…you really are what you eat. While no substitute for a great skin care routine, a well-balanced diet is definitely a great complement to your topical regimen. To discover some go-to foods for glowing skin to add to our meal plan, we tapped Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, Skincare.com consulting dermatologist, who shares his picks for foods you should reach for, below.

When Dr. Bhanusali’s patients need a morning wake up call, he recommends skipping that cup of joe and opting instead for a cup of tea. “I ask that they substitute green tea—either hot or cold—for coffee,” he says. After brewing the tea, use Dr. B’s dermatologist hack to help reduce puffy-looking eyes that we share here.

“As a rule, I encourage my patients to eat foods high in antioxidants,” he says. Our favorite picks? Berries—especially cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries—beans—kidney, pinto, and black varieties—apples, kale, spinach, and grapes. Start your morning off right with an antioxidant-rich smoothie. Mix a handful of kale or spinach with blueberries, mango, banana, chia seeds, and a little honey, in a blender and enjoy!

“Prior to big events, I recommend keeping sodium to a minimum,” Bhanusali says. “Sodium can make you retain water and as a result, your face can appear puffy, especially under the eyes.” For lunch and dinner, instead of seasoning your dishes with salt, reach for spices and herbs to give them flavor. We love rosemary, turmeric, saffron, cayenne, garlic, and pepper. These spices work well on anything from veggies to fish to poultry and red meat.

Sure those frozen tropical drinks make summer more fun, but too much sugar can wreak havoc on your complexion. Reach for whole wheat breads and pastas, steel cut oats, sweet potatoes, legumes, and lentils and steer clear of processed sugars. It can be hard to find a tasty, low-sugar dessert that still satisfies your taste buds, but one of our faves is a dairy-free banana ice cream. Put a few frozen bananas in a blender or food processor, add in a few pieces of dark chocolate and a drizzle of honey or a little peanut butter, blend until smooth and creamy, and enjoy!