If we are what we eat, we should be striving to eat real, whole, and beautiful foods! The food we eat becomes the foundation for every cell in the body, including the cells that produce collagen, lower inflammation and fight disease!
The food we eat has a huge impact on how we look and feel throughout our lives. Some foods can even help us turn back the clock and fight the signs of aging. We need a combination of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to maintain health over time and eating a whole foods diet is the best way to ensure we look and feel our best!
Here are 5 foods that naturally boost collagen and fight the signs of aging
1. Cold Water Fish
One of nature’s most powerful beauty foods is seafood! Cold water fish, like salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, and halibut are great sources of protein and vitamins, but what truly sets cold water fish apart are their fatty acid profiles. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are fats the body needs but has a hard time making on its own. Omega-3’s keep us looking young, fight inflammation, and ensure other cells are working optimally too!
2. Bone Broth
Bone broth is jam-packed with health supportive nutrients. From protein to minerals, to vitamins, bone broth has it all. Bone broth also contains collagen! Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and is vital to the appearance of healthy, youthful looking skin, giving it it’s strength and elasticity.
Try this nutrient-rich, gut healing, collagen boosting bone broth!
3. Vitamin C Rich Foods
Foods rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli, butternut squash, and citrus fruits, play a major role in the aging process. Not only is vitamin C a powerful antioxidant, but it’s also vital to collagen production. Collagen is key to youthful looking skin, and antioxidants are anti-aging powerhouses! Antioxidants protect our cells from damage, lower inflammation, help prevent disease, and keep us looking youthful.
4. Protein
Grass-fed beef, seafood, chicken, eggs, and legumes are all wonderful sources of protein. We are made up of protein, so getting adequate protein is vital to healthy aging! The amino acids in protein become the building blocks for all our cells, including the building blocks for collagen. Animal protein also contains vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps the integrity of our skin, ensuring it looks clear, firm, and healthy!
Try out this beef stir fry recipe! It’s easy to make and loaded with protein and anti-aging vitamins.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein and healthy fat. Hemp and chia seeds are not only considered “complete proteins” because they contain all 9 essential amino acids, but they’re also high in Omega-3s. Other great collagen boosting nuts and seeds are pistachios and pumpkin seeds, which contain lysine. Lysine is an essential amino acid that’s hard to come by in plant foods but is a major component of collagen. Lastly, nuts and seeds contain vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant that helps fight the signs of aging!
Wake up right with one of these Overnight No-Oats breakfasts, they’re delicious and full of healthy nuts and seeds: