Your skin is what you eat. It makes sense. You are what you eat and your skin is part of you. You get the idea. While it's never been proven that chocolate and French fries cause pimples, nutritionists have found that food does affect the health and appearance of your skin.

Not surprisingly, diets that are rich in vegetables, olive oil, and legumes - staples of a Mediterranean diet - protect against skin damage while a lifetime of eating meat, dairy, and sugar can increase skin damage. It is even believed that the former diet, which is heavy on antioxidants, can help protect the skin from the effects of daily oxidative stress (translation: less wrinkles).

In addition to eating a healthy, balanced diet, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips to keep skin smooth and clear, :

• Stop smoking
• Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. This will help keep your skin hydrated.
• Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m

[via Beliefnet]

Image: healthynj.org