Our dietary choices play a big role in our overall well-being. And, as scientists learn more about the interactions of diet with our body, it’s increasingly clear that our food intake also plays a significant role in the health and aging of our skin. “You are what you eat,” is more than a popular slogan, it seems, when it comes to one of our most important—and largest―organs.
Beyond the natural effects of aging, our skin also takes a daily beating from environmental stressors, including those glorious summer rays. So it’s important to feed our skin what it needs to combat these troublemakers.
Despite the emphasis placed on skin cleansers, moisturizers, and serums for achieving radiant, blemish-free skin, diet is still often overlooked. The foods we consume, though, are paramount to looking our best.
Luckily, the summer season offers a bounty of foods lush with skin-protecting compounds and nutrients to provide the building blocks for healthy skin cells, which can help support structure, elasticity, and hydration. It’s all about harnessing the power of seasonal foods to glow from within.
While diet is no substitute for using sunblock judiciously, these recipes contain an arsenal of foods that will help keep your skin in the game. Consider them the ultimate vanity fare.
This collection was originally published in the August 2025 issue of alive magazine.
This refreshing noodle salad fit for a sultry summer night may become your new favourite way to luxuriate in watermelon. The flavourful sweet-sour watermelon sauce is the perfect foil for the slippery noodles and crunchy vegetables. Alternate cooking methods include…
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This simple, yet delicious, recipe is perfect to make ahead for a tasty picnic in the sun. The arugula pesto adds fresh flavour, with chunks of salmon adding substance to the frittata. It can also be served warm or at…
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This lightly sweet cornbread is less crumbly than traditional versions, which makes it easier to slice. The jammy tomato sauce as accompaniment is fit for the season. A wonderful side dish to serve alongside grilled meat or summer salad. Skin…
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Rise and dine on these tender waffles with layers of flavour. The simple peach sauce is a great way to enjoy fresh, juicy peaches during peak season. It’s also marvelous strewn over ice cream. The batter can be prepared the…
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Anyone interested in eating more plant-based meals will appreciate this recipe for its simplicity and satisfying flavour. And it’s full of nutrition that will bestow numerous skin benefits. If you wish, you can serve this dish taco-style with the tofu…
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Soup need not be relegated to the colder months. This satisfying plant-based Italian-inspired minestrone is packed with colourful summer-fresh veggies to give your skin a helping hand. If farro is unavailable, the soup can be made with other whole grains,…
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