Turn Tonight's Dinner into Tomorrow's Great Skin

It's true that you are what you eat! The health and appearance of your skin is as much a result of your diet as any cleansers or night cream. Try some of my skin-friendly dishes tonight:

Discover the versatility of salmon - baked, grilled, or served on top of your favorite salad, it's always high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a wonderful way to hydrate your skin and puff out those fine lines. Their anti-inflammatory properties will also help minimize redness and skin irritation. (Don't like salmon? Try an omelet made with Omega-3-enriched eggs.)

Flax seed is another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly for vegetarians and vegans. You can grind the seeds and mix them in any recipe - baked goods, cereal, or smoothies, for example - or use flax seed oil (try adding a splash to your salad dressing!).

Do you have oily skin? Toss a big salad full of leafy greens - they're high in vitamin A, which will help decrease oil production. Squash, carrots, and mangoes are among the other tasty treats that are rich in vitamin A. (Coffee and alcohol, on the other hand, can deplete your supply of this essential vitamin.)

Enjoy mixed berries with a dollop of whipped cream for dessert tonight, for example, or pour yourself a glass of pomegranate juice. (And while this doesn't quite fall in the category of "dinner," consider taking a daily vitamin supplement with antioxidants, such as Olay Total Effects.)

Instead of after-dinner coffee, why not brew a cup of green tea? It's a great source of antioxidants, too.

Finally, whatever you decide to make for dinner tonight, be sure to wash it down with plenty of water to keep your skin's enzymes working well.
Wishing you great skin!

By Leslie Baumann, M.D.