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5 Foods For Better Skin

Eat These 5 Foods For Gorgeous Skin After 50
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By 

Guest Writer

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thailand, north, chiang mai, close up of locally grown fresh strawberries on sale in market.

When I was young, there was nothing I liked better than getting a tan -- and I have the "character lines" to prove it. Of course, everyone knows that UV exposure accelerates skin aging and causes the loss of elasticity that results in wrinkles. And everyone also knows that the quest to counter all the damage done by the sun is an expensive one, with the market for anti-aging products expected to top $114 billion by 2015.

The good news is that there are inexpensive steps you can take to achieve healthier skin. A study in 2002 found that eating certain foods can help your skin repair and rejuvenate itself. And don't forget water, which the skin needs to stay hydrated.

With that in mind, here are five of the best foods you can eat for better skin. What do you do for healthier skin? Let us know in comments.

1. Strawberries
You think oranges have a lot of vitamin C? Strawberries have even more. Vitamin C is key for firmer skin as it helps with collagen production. An added benefit: they also contain antioxidants that can help slow memory loss as you get older.

2. Almonds
Almonds contain vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant that helps clear away toxins and protect skin cells from UV rays and other environmental factors. Want to revitalize your skin even more? Make a nice face mask using a mixture of honey, almond oil and lemon juice. (My 12-year-old daughter taught me that.)

3. Carrots
Carrots are usually associated with better eyesight but they also are packed with beta carotene, an antioxidant that becomes vitamin A inside your body and helps protect against UV rays. In addition, a lack of the vitamin results in dry skin. Interesting tidbit: Cooked carrots deliver more beta carotene than raw ones.

4. Salmon
Salmon contains healthy fatty acids such as omega-3s that work to ward off damaging substances while also allowing nutrients to enter cells. They also help diminish fine lines and wrinkles by improving your skin's elasticity and preventing clogged pores. So get out there and grill some salmon (or broil it... or smoke it... lots of possibilities).

5. Kiwis
Not only does kiwi taste good, but it's also packed with antioxidant vitamins C and E, which help protect against UV damage. One study even showed that kiwi can help you achieve a radiance akin to a tan in just a few weeks. And vitamin C has long been linked with less skin dryness and wrinkling.

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Before You Go

Five Things You Should Never Eat (And What To Eat Instead)
Do Not Eat: Fried Food(01 of10)
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Fried food is loaded with fat and calories while offering zero nutritional value. It's a lose-lose! Sure, fries and chips TASTE good, but healthier items also taste good. Just say no to the deep fried items on your menu. You'll be thinner, healthier and won't have greasy fingers. (credit:Getty)
Try This Instead: Broiled(02 of10)
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If you simply must have a French fry, then make them at home in your oven. Use sweet potatoes, as these are a more complex carbohydrate. Cut into matchsticks, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil along with a dash of salt, then place in your oven on broil. Turn every five minutes until the fries are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Bread(03 of10)
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White bread products have minimal nutritional value and are quickly converted by your body into sugar. So you may as well eat a cupcake. Even breads that are technically wheat, but are as soft and smooth as white bread, should be avoided. Don't be afraid to discard the bread from your sandwich or to push away that bread basket. Your waist will shrink and you'll lose that bloated feeling that high carbohydrate meals give you. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Sprouted Grain Bread(04 of10)
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If you must have bread, then stick with sprouted. Sprouted grain bread is a lot easier on your digestion and is packed full of nutrients. Two delicious brands are Food For Life's Ezekiel bread, and Manna Organics. Sprouted grain breads are often kept in the freezer section since they don't contain preservatives to prolong shelf life. (credit:courtesy Food for Life)
Do Not Eat: Creamy Salad Dressing(05 of10)
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You were so good to order a salad, but then canceled out the low-cal benefits by drenching the salad in fattening creamy dressing. Just a few tablespoons of creamy dressing contain more than 20 grams of fat and hundreds of calories. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Vinegar Dressing(06 of10)
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Vinegar-based dressings pack amazing flavor in with minimal fat and calories. You can even mix your own dressing at home. Take high quality vinegar, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper, your choice of dried herbs, and a bit of olive oil. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Rice(07 of10)
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Just like white bread, white rice has minimal nutritional value, and the glycemic load will quickly prime your body for storing fat. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Brown Rice(08 of10)
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Brown rice has three times the amount of fiber, more B vitamins as well as other nutrients and will keep you feeling fuller for longer. That should be enough to convince you to swap your large pile of white rice out for a small pile of brown rice. (credit:Alamy)
Do Not Eat: White Sugar(09 of10)
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Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are the epitome of anti-fitness food. Nothing will destroy your progress, expand your waist and plummet your energy levels like sugar. If you only take away one do-not-eat food from this slideshow, please let it be sugar. (credit:Alamy)
Try This Instead: Fruit(10 of10)
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Don't turn to artificial sweeteners to get your sweet fix, instead turn to nature's wholesome source of sugar: fruit. Eat organic fruit that is seasonal and locally grown. Stay away from dried fruit and fruit juices, as these are high in simple calories. (credit:Alamy)
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