The Great Skin Diet

Celeb Nutritionist Oz Garcia Picks the Top Beauty-Boosting Foods

We already know that eating healthily gives us energy and keeps us in our skinny jeans, but it also has dramatic effects on the quality of our skin, hair, and nails. Turns out, you really are what you eat. (Which is why we feel like a bloated beach ball the day after we binge on popcorn and ice cream.) Even if you have the metabolism of a supermodel, there are plenty of reasons to eat right—wrinkles, for starters. “If you eat processed foods and highly chemicalized foods that are that are high in sugar and fat, this will dramatically accelerate the aging process,” says Dr. Oz Garcia, famed celebrity nutritionist. So step away from the chips, and read on for Garcia’s top beauty-boosting foods.

Refrigerator Makeover

You don’t have to swear off wine and cookies (we’d never make you to do that), but you should cut back on sugar, white flour, processed foods, and other nutritional vacuums. Garcia says almost everyone should be eating more superfoods: multi-colored fruits, probiotic-rich yogurt, fish, beans (because of their high concentration of phytochemicals), and vegetables.

Are All Healthy Foods Created Equal?

Nope. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but for a blemish-free complexion, you’re better off loading up on olive oil, avocado, and fish, which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. To stave off wrinkles, Garcia says to incorporate more seafood and ground flaxseed, which are full of Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as alpha linoleic-filled walnuts and vitamin-rich whole grains. When in doubt, go for color: greens like kale and spinach are full of beta-carotene and lutein, while blueberries and blackberries are tops for antioxidants.

Should I Be Popping Beauty Pills?

We’re all for vitamins, but most nutraceuticals are 90 percent marketing, 10 percent effective. Instead, focus on supplements that target your specific concerns. For healthy skin and hair, Garcia suggests taking silica and fish oil capsules, while biotin can help strengthen nails.

 - By Mollie Chen