Keep Your Skin as Toned as Your Body

Photo: Laurel Fan/Flickr

During last week's yoga class, I took a side glance in the mirror during one downward dog. I was appalled at my reflection. Upside down, the skin on my thighs was all wrinkled! WOW, I thought. All that exercise can only go so far if my skin is sagging. As soon as class was over, I called Jae Berman, a registered dietitian at the San Francisco Bay Club, and I was so relieved when she said: "There are definitely anti-aging foods you can incorporate into an already healthy diet that can boost skin tone."

• Spinach has folate which speeds up cell renewal. Translation: It acts like an inner exfoliant. New, young cells make your skin look younger.
• Oranges, bell peppers and kiwi are loaded with Vitamin C, which boosts collagen production and smooths out wrinkles. Other vegetables and fruits include sweet potatoes, lemons and limes.
• Canned tuna's loaded with selenium, a mineral that preserves elastin, a protein that keeps skin smooth and tight. It's also an antioxidant that buffers against damaging UV rays.
• Walnuts, salmon and flax seed are brimming with omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce puffiness.

Try this: Salmon, carrot, tomato spinach stir fry. Throw all the ingredients into a wok or sauté pan with your favorite spices and a teaspoon of olive oil. For more skin-firming recipes, contact Berman at jberman@sfbayclub.com.

Want to cook up another stir fry? Try tofu, spinach and okra for a light, skin-friendly meal.