Five Healthy "It" Foods

Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in the so-called “good fats” like fish and flaxseed, besides health benefits such as reducing inflammation and reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and arthritis, omega-3’s pack a serious beauty punch by contributing to better-looking skin, hair and nails.

Low-sugar foods: While plenty of naturally sweet fruits like apples and bananas are also beneficial sources of fiber, again, be wary of labels. For example, real cranberries would be a much healthier choice than “low-sugar” cranberry juice. We need some sugars in our diet in order to stabilize blood glucose levels, but unless you’re using the ingredient as a facial scrub, less is more.

"The more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to have skin that is dull and wrinkly," says Kirkpatrick, likely due to a process called glycation that leads to damaged collagen and elastin, two structural proteins in the skin.

MORE: Sneaky foods where sugar is lurking

Low-sodium foods: The population may have one big sweet tooth, but our other addiction, salt, is just as dangerous. According to the University of California San Francisco, the average American eats five or more teaspoons of the stuff every day, which is about 20 times as much as we need. (You only need about one-quarter of a teaspoon daily!)

Besides helping you avoid stroke and kidney disease (among other related problems) less salt keeps bloating at bay. Less salt, more svelte? Now that’s motivating.