5 Whole Foods That Want To Make You Beautiful

Beauty is more than skin deep. In fact, it starts with your mouth. Well, sort of. See, it's not just what you slather on your skin that makes it radiant, or what you smooth into your hair that makes it shine. True beauty, the type that not even mounds of makeup can deliver, comes from within. So where is this internal beauty supply store? The market! Yes, certain foods are the building blocks to beauty. Elizabeth TenHouten, a Beauty/Skin Care Expert, Author of "Cooking Well: Beautiful Skin," and a huge believer in nature's ability to keep you young--both inside and out, has given us some tricks of her trade to make you even more beautiful with food. She suggests these 5 essential green foods to bestow beauty:

1. Berries and pomegranates (Antioxidants)

Antioxidants are natural free-radical fighters. They help to counterbalance the environmental damage (signs of aging) already done while boosting our ability to defend ourselves in the future. Our bodies can't produce antioxidants, but they are naturally occurring in berries and pomegranates, helping to maintain beautiful, healthy skin.

2. Seeds, Nuts and Sprouts (Vitamin E)

Vitamin E helps skin retain moisture--one of the most important components to a glowing, supple complexion, helping to minimize premature aging and wrinkles.

3. Fish (Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Zinc)

Both Essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Zinc play key roles in the production of skin collagen, which is what keeps our skin elastic or youthful. To maintain a naturally perky and peachy complexion, make sure to enrich your diet with fish--we like low on the food chain options like anchovies which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, low in mercury, and more sustainable.

4. Green Vegetables- the darkest you can find, Dark Orange Vegetables (Vitamin A, Iron)

Vitamin A contributes to the formation of new cells, keeping skin, hair, and eyes beautiful, shiny and bright. If your diet lacks Vitamin A, your skin will reflect it, appearing dull, dry, or flaky, even worsening the condition of any existing acne. Spinach, kale, and broccoli are wonderful sources of Vitamin A.

5. Whole Grains (Antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex) In addition to the powerful antioxidant and Vitamin E value in whole grains, the Vitamin B complex maintains skin moisture. It actually releases energy from food for skin metabolism, functioning as a potent detoxifier. So eat up to health and to beautiful, radiant skin!