Do you ever wonder why some people sunburn faster than others? We’ve all been there, we leave the house early to run some errands, but then we get an invite to go to an outdoor barbecue. Before you know it, you’re sunburned, but the rest aren’t and it’s not just because they’re wearing sunscreen. What’s their secret?
Sunscreen is extremely useful if you don’t want to get any damage from the sun, but what you eat can also help protect you from the inside-out. These are some of the most useful sun-fighting superfoods:
Carrots
We all love munching on carrot sticks and baby carrots because they taste sweet and are a super healthy snack. They’re not only good for your eyes, but they contain beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that helps protect and repair cells from sun damage.
Tomatoes
These delicious fruits–yes it’s a fruit, not a vegetable that you should be eating and plenty of it. They contain lycopene, which provides a long-term protection against the dangers of UV rays. So make sure you eat plenty of tomato sauce and add them to your salads to reap the benefits.
Dark Colorful Veggies
During the summer take advantage of shopping at your local farmer’s markets. Check out their selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and look for darker shades of tomatoes, radishes, beets, kale, cabbage, peppers and other favorites. The darker they are the more nutrients and antioxidants that they contain.
Snack on Seeds
Many of us like snacking on almonds and sunflower seeds and even cook with these oils. Both of these contain Vitamin E, which is an ingredient we always see in our sunscreens. These are packed with antioxidants that help protect against sun damage. It also slows down the aging process and repairs skin cells quicker.
Tropical Fruits
One of the reasons people that live in the tropics have beautiful skin is because of all the tropical fruits that they eat. Fruits like strawberries, kiwis, oranges, and other exotic tropical fruits are packed with a high water content and vitamin C, which help kill off free radicals that your body produces in response to the damage caused by the sun.
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Think about some of your favorite fruits, most of them are packed with nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants that shield, repair and protect skin cells. So next time you forget your sunscreen, stay in the shade and have a healthy snack because that might protect you from future sunburns down the road.