Skin-Savvy Spinach Salad
Guest Contributor: Robin Barrie Kaiden, MS, RD, CDN
In the spirit of staying motivated working towards our New Year’s Resolutions, we asked Registered Dietitian, Robin Barrie Kaiden, MS, RD, CDN to share some mealtime inspiration. If you missed her first blog post for us earlier in the month, be sure to check it out for tons of tips! This Spinach Berry Salad that she created has a fun flavor combination AND super skin powers. Read on and eat up.
Ingredients (serves 1)
1.5 cups spinach leaves
8 raspberries
8 blackberries
1/4 avocado diced
1 tbsp sliced almonds
Dressing: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste
Toss together and serve!
Here’s why this salad has super skin powers
The spinach is very high in Vitamin A. With more than the Daily Value of Vitamin A just in one cup, it can help promote cell turnover, inhibit oil gland activity, and help prevent acne. Without sufficient Vitamin A, skin can become dry, rough and scaly. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and spinach contains no fat, BUT the olive oil and avocado help for the best absorption.
The spinach, berries, avocado AND almonds all contain FIBER. Fiber improves digestion, helps rid the body of waste and decreases inflammation, all of which is great for the skin.
Spinach, berries, lemons, and avocadoes are great sources of Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental pollutants + toxins and prevents bruising. It also aids in collagen production and improves blood vessel dilation, which brings more blood and nutrients to the skin. It helps with quicker healing.
Spinach is one of the best sources of Potassium, which helps with fluid balance, and skin is healthiest when hydrated.
Almonds and avocados are high in Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps repair and protect the skin. It helps protect skin from UV light and free radical damage.
Avocados (and olive oil) contain healthy fat, which helps keep skin moisturized from the inside out. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that are great for the skin.
About Robin:
Robin Barrie Kaiden, MS, RD, CDN, CSSD is renowned for helping people of all ages embrace a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and fitness counseling. As a Licensed Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer, her smart and sensible approach to pediatrics, weight loss, sports nutrition, allergies, cardiovascular health, pre/post natal, and other areas of clinical and lifestyle nutrition has resonated with hundreds of people across the United States. In addition to her private Manhattan and Westport, CT-based practice for adults, children and families, she maintains a national presence as a blogger, columnist, guest speaker, and consultant. A recognized expert on healthy eating, Robin is a trusted resource for print, television, and online media. She appears regularly in various news, lifestyle, and entertainment stories for CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Parenting, Golf Fitness, Vogue, People.com, Forbes.com, and other media outlets. Robin received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Nutrition and Exercise Science from Cornell and Columbia Universities. For more information, visit her website.
