6 Fall Foods for Healthy Skin That Aren’t pumpkin

When it comes to seasonal food, Autumn really has the other seasons beat. There is nothing more satisfying then a sheet pan of roasted root vegetables, or a nourishing bowl of pureed soup (see recipe below!) The best thing about these foods, is that they are all really good for your skin in a number of ways! Move over pumpkin spice, here are 5 yummy foods that will heal your skin from the inside out.

Pomegranate

Packed with antioxidants, this fruit is also photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and has anti-microbial benefits for the skin. They are also rich in vitamin E and has phenolic compounds that help prevent the breakdown of collagen. Sprinkle the seeds on your oatmeal or a festive fall salad or grain bowl.

Beets

This root vegetable contains several vitamins and minerals including potassium, fiber, iron, Vitamins A, B, and C, as well as magnesium, which wards off the free radicals that can cause wrinkles. Magnesium is also great at preventing Eczema flare-ups as well. My two favorite ways to eat beets is roasted (along with other root vegetables) and pickled, which you can put on pretty much anything, or if you’re like me, you’re going to want to eat them straight from the jar.

Cranberries

The phytochemicals in cranberries have potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to keep acne at bay. Add cranberries to oatmeal, grain bowls, and bake them into your favorite desserts!

Apples

This fall favorite is loaded with antioxidants, as long as you don’t discard the peel! Apples also contain several B Vitamins, the vitamin that’s associated with beautiful skin. In our house we love adding apples into our smoothies, but one of my favorite ways to eat apples is by cooking them on the stovetop, with a little coconut oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and topping them over oatmeal.

Brussel Sprouts

If you don’t think you like brussels sprouts, you haven’t eaten them the right way! There is nothing more delicious than a crispy roasted brussels sprout. With a little dipping sauce, I can snack on these like French fries (and honestly, I enjoy them more). The best thing about these tiny cabbages? They are packed with Vitamin C, helping to make skin look firmer and smoother while lessening the appearance of sunspots and dryness.

Carrots

A top source in Beta-Carotene, this popular root vegetable is also loaded in Vitamin A, which is a natural Retinol, keeping your skin at peak performance. There are several ways to cook carrots, but my favorite by far is this soup, which I made in big batches to freeze and eat all winter long.

Carrot Ginger Cashew Soup  

(yields 8 servings)

 3 celery stalks, diced

1 white onion, diced

1 cup cashews

2 bundles carrots, chopped

1 large knob of ginger, peeled and chopped

8 cups veggie stock

Salt, white pepper, & thyme to taste

·      Sautee all veggies and thyme in coconut oil over medium heat until fragrant.

·      Add 7 cups of stock, bring up to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, uncovered.

·      Meanwhile, add ginger, cashews, and remaining cup of stock to a blender and puree until smooth.

·      Add cashew puree to soup, let cool slightly and puree the entire thing, either back into the blender or with a stick blender.

·      Add salt and pepper to taste.