We’ve all heard about the benefits of eating our fruits and vegetables, but have you ever wondered whether there was a direct correlation between the food we put in our bodies and how healthy it is for our skin?
Having a good relationship with food will guide you to improve your overall health mentally and physically. Additionally, there is a deep link between diet and skin condition.
This study shows that the skin reacts to what you intake. Ranging from nutrients from food as a positive and drinking and smoking as a negative.
For example, eating enough foods that are rich in antioxidants helps to fight free radical damage; they also keep the immune system strong and help with skin healing. As well as lower inflammation, it also promotes structural support of the skin.
However, if you have a habit of binge eating or have an unbalanced diet, this can cause a break-out, or have a negative impact on the skin health barrier.
Where do we start to establish a healthy relationship with food? It has absolutely nothing to do with what diet you choose or what type of food you eat. It is more about how you eat food and why you choose it.
When you have a bad relationship with food, there are certain signs that you will recognise;
- You feel guilty about eating.
- You avoid foods that are “unhealthy” for you.
- You choose food based on calories.
- You have a long list of food such as what you can eat and can not.
- You ignore your body’s natural hunger signs.
- Binge eating / Restricting eating
These signs can be developed by the fact that you have stress, guilt, fear or shame about what you eat. By allowing yourself to eat whatever your body is comfortable with, you will be able to face your relationship with food and practice intuitive eating.
Despite this, there is a variety of diets we acknowledge today. It’s important to be aware that each body is different. Some foods are good for you but not for others. Rather than listening to every dietician, celebrity or influencer, listen to what your body is craving. Eat when you are hungry, and accept all types of foods in your diet. Choose the best foods that work for you.
Some of the benefits you will see from intuitive eating are;
- Awareness of how your hunger and fullness cues feel
- A better digestion
- Decrease depression and anxiety
- Lower levels of restrictive/ disordered eating
- Stress reduction
- Reduced overeating/binge eating
- Increased satisfaction with food
- Weight loss
Food is not only the fuel to our body but also for our joy, pleasure, culture and socialisation. Appreciate it as more than just a fuel source, make peace with it. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy every meal of the day, have a clear mindset, and positivity around food and your body, and of course, a glowing skin.