The antioxidants found in vitamins A, C and E, according to the National Institute of Health, are essential for wound-healing purposes. The National Institute of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends you get the nutrients through a well-balanced diet. In order for your body to operate properly, it needs to be nourished on a daily basis because your body does not store these nutrients. Find your nourishment through a variety of easily obtainable healthy foods.
Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables
Brightly colored vegetables and fruits, according to the National Institute of Health, contain a multitude of health-promoting antioxidants known for their wound-healing properties. The brighter the color, the more antioxidants the food contains, cites the USDA.
Foods high in vitamin A can contain an antioxidant component known as beta carotene. Beta carotene is the reason behind many of the colorful foods found on our supermarket shelves, states the NIH. Think of carrots and their bright yellow or orange color, for instance. Other vegetables rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, pumpkins and tomatoes, cites the USDA.
According to the National Institute of Health, vitamin C is essential for proper skin healing. An excellent source of vitamin C is yellow peppers. According to nutritiondata.com, one large yellow pepper will provide you with 569 percent of your daily recommended allotment of vitamin C. Other recommended brightly colored vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and a variety of cabbages. Dark leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, red leaf lettuce and greens are also rich in vitamin C.
Vitamins A and C are found in a multitude of colorful fruits. According to the National Institute of Health, choose from a variety of citrus fruits. Berries of all kinds are rich in this vitamin. Cantaloupe, bananas, papayas, watermelon and mango are also nutrient powerhouses, states the USDA.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are rich sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, states the USDA. Whole grains include oats and oat bran, barley, brown rice, gamut, quinoa, whole wheat and wheat bran. In addition to buying the whole grains in bulk, you can buy processed boxed cereals that are grain based, states nutritiondata.com.
Healthy Oils
Eating, or cooking with, a variety of healthy oils (unsaturated fats) can help your skin to heal. Plant-based oils are notable for containing the antioxidant vitamin E, cites the USDA. Included in this category are peanut, canola, sunflower seed, olive, walnut and hazelnut oils. Dip some whole grain bread into a mixture of balsamic vinegar and olive oil for a tasty treat. Be sure to monitor your use of these oils, however, because they still are fats. According to the American Heart Association, even though plant-based oils are considered heart healthy oils and are preferable over saturated fats, eating too much of them can be unhealthy.
Skin Healing Snacks
When you feel like snacking, make healthy choices. You can help your skin heal by snacking on vitamin E-rich seeds and nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, almonds and cashews, states the USDA. Put some peanut or almond butter on whole grain crackers. Two tablespoons of peanut butter can supply you with 69 percent of your daily recommended allotment of vitamin E, cites nutritiondata.com. Snack on vitamin C-rich watermelon or raspberries.
References
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference; Release 20, USDA; 2008
- American Heart Association
- Nutritiondata.com
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