Not Just Canning Tatum but Drew Barrymore, and Ashley Tisdale to name a few. Herein, the New York-based certified nutritionist and yoga teacher dishes on the five food rules that help keep her clients—and their skin—looking red-carpet ready.
1. Drink a lot of water, all day long
Snyder’s number one rule for good skin (and good health) is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. “I cannot tell you how many times I have clients come in and say, ‘I don’t break out, but I have really dry skin.’ And I’m like, well, that’s because you’re not drinking enough water!” Snyder says. The rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. So, if you weigh 140 pounds, that’s 70 ounces, or just over eight cups. Snyder recommends carrying a refillable water bottle with you throughout the day to make sure you’re getting enough H20. Bonus: Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent under-eye bags and puffiness.
2. Eat your greens
Snyder is a big fan of leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and Swiss chard, which are packed with vitamins A, C, and K—all essential for good skin. “These greens are great for detoxification and cell regeneration,” Snyder says. “They help keep the skin clear by flushing out toxins and they help reduce inflammation.” Snyder recommends adding a big handful of greens to your smoothie in the morning or enjoying them sautéed as a side dish at night.
3. Get your glow on with carrots
Carrots are not only great for your eyesight—they’re also great for your skin. “Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A,” Snyder explains. “Vitamin A is important for cell turnover, so it helps keep the skin looking youthful and glowing.” Snyder recommends munching on raw carrots as a snack or adding them to a salad. You can also get your carrot fix in juice form—just make sure to pair carrot juice with a fat or protein like nut butter to help your body absorb the beta-carotene.
4. Get your omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining healthy cell membranes, which keep skin hydrated and plump. Snyder recommends getting your omega-3s from cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and herring, or from plant sources like flaxseeds and chia seeds. You can also take a fish oil supplement, but Snyder prefers to get her omega-3s from food whenever possible. “I always tell people to eat their omega-3s because they’re great for the brain and the heart as well as the skin,” she says.
5. Indulge in dark chocolate
Yes, you read that right—dark chocolate is good for your skin! The key is to choose a high-quality dark chocolate with a cacao content of 70 percent or higher. “Cacao is packed with antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radical damage,” Snyder explains. “It also helps improve blood flow and increase skin elasticity.” Snyder recommends enjoying a small piece of dark chocolate every day as a treat.