7 Anti-Aging Foods for Your Skin

3 Ways to Cook Eggs

Spice up your egg routine with these clever recipes.

Eggs do have cholesterol (186 milligrams apiece), but that's not a problem for most of us. "For heart health, there are bigger fish to fry in terms of food," says Meridan Zerner, RD, LD, dietitian at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas.

Saturated fat and trans fat appear to have a bigger effect on blood cholesterol levels and heart disease risk, she says, and one egg offers just 1.5 grams of saturated fat and zero trans fat.

Eggs already stand out as a low-calorie source of protein (6 grams per egg). They may prevent you from overeating and keep blood sugar levels steady, Zerner says. Plus, eggs are one of the top sources of choline, a B vitamin that protects the heart and aids fetal brain development (making eggs a good choice for pregnant women). Egg yolks also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that appear to protect against age-related eye diseases.

Still, many experts recommend you limit yourself to an egg a day. If you have heart disease or diabetes, you may need to limit that amount further. It's best to think of eggs as just one option in your rotation of healthy foods, Zerner says. "We find health in the middle ground."

 

 

 

7 Anti-Aging Foods for Your Skin

Eat these for glowing, healthy skin.

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD

Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD

WebMD Feature

Smooth, radiant skin is something everyone wants. While there's no magic bullet, the food you eat, along with a healthy lifestyle, can help stall some of the visible signs of aging.

"Eat smaller portions. Choose nutrient-dense, healthy foods from all of the different food groups. Exercise, and wear sunscreen. All of these things will help you look and feel younger," says dietitian Elisa Zied, author ofYounger Next Week.

These seven foods deliver nutrients that can help keep your skin looking great.

1. Oats

"I recommend complex carbohydrates like oats because they're low-glycemic," says Debra Jaliman, MD. She is a New York dermatologist and author of Skin Rules. By "low-glycemic," she means foods that don't spike your blood sugar like refined breads, rice, and pasta can. "High-glycemic foods are known to cause acne and wrinkles," Jaliman says.

Oats also have a natural plant chemical that helps prevent damage to skin cells and soothes skin irritation.

Also try: other whole grains such as shredded wheat, barley, brown rice.

2. Oranges

These are loaded with water, so they hydrate your skin and your cells, Zied says. One large orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps make collagen -- and that, in turn, helps keep your skin supple.

In general, vegetables and fruits are great for your skin. Get at least 2 to 2.5 cups of vegetables and 1.5 cups of fruit per day if you're a woman, or 3 cups of veggies and 2 cups of fruit if you're a man. Go for lots of colors so you get a variety of nutrients.

Also try: pink grapefruit, tomatoes, parsley.

3. Avocados

Avocados are filled with a healthy type of fat, monounsaturated fat, which helps your skinstay hydrated, Zied says.That same healthy fat can also help you absorb some vitamins and nutrients that your skin needs.

Try replacing high-fat salad dressings and mayo with avocado. "It gives you a lot of flavor and texture, and you don't need much to feel satisfied," Zied says.

Also try: olive oil, walnuts, macadamia nut oil.