So you’re thinking of changing your diet to try and help your skin. But when you think about healthy eating, does your mind jump straight to bland salads, endless meal prep, and saying goodbye to your favourite foods? Healthy eating often gets associated with being boring, restrictive, and time-consuming—especially when a takeaway is just a phone tap away. But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? With a few simple tweaks, healthy eating can be easy, enjoyable, and yes, even delicious.

Here are some of my favourite tips to help you get started on your healthy eating journey without feeling overwhelmed. So you can learn how to eat for healthy skin.

How to eat for healthy skin

1. FOCUS ON what you Can You Add?

When people think about eating healthier, they often focus on what they have to cut out: sugar, carbs, processed foods, you name it. In fact, most people who come to me for help have already cut out loads of food in the quest to heal their skin. But here’s a game-changer: instead of focusing on what to remove, start thinking about what you can add to your meals. There are so many foods you can include to help you eat for healthy skin.

Grab a notebook (or your notes app) and jot down what you typically eat in a day. Don’t judge it, just observe. Then ask yourself, “Where can I sneak in more nutrients?”

• Breakfast: Love your morning toast? Great. Try adding avocado for healthy fats, or top it with a poached egg for extra protein. If cereal is your go-to, toss in some fresh berries, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or a handful of nuts. Even switching to a fiber-rich granola can make a big difference.
• Lunch: Is your sandwich looking a little sad? Pile on some crunchy veggies like cucumber, tomatoes, or spinach. Pair it with a side of carrot sticks and hummus, or an apple with almond butter.
• Snacks: Instead of eliminating snacks altogether, choose better options. Think: Greek yoghurt with honey and walnuts, or a handful of mixed nuts with dried fruit.

The key is gradual change. The World Health Organization recommends eating ten portions of fruits and vegetables a day, and you might have heard the aim of 30 different plant foods a week. These might sound like a lot, but when you start adding a handful here and a sprinkle there, you’ll be surprised at how easy it becomes. Plus, focusing on abundance (rather than restriction) makes the process way more enjoyable.

2. Master the Art of Meal Planning

Let’s be real: after a long day, the last thing most of us want to do is stare into the fridge and wonder, What should I cook? That’s where meal planning swoops in to save the day. And one thing that really helps you eat for healthy skin is consistency. Meal planning will help you be consistent so you achieve those skin results you deserve.

Why plan? It reduces decision fatigue, saves money, minimises food waste, and keeps you from defaulting to that emergency takeaway.

How to start:

• Pick a Planning Day: Choose a day each week (Sunday works for many) to plan your meals and write your grocery list.
• Consider Your Schedule: Got a late meeting on Thursday? Plan a quick stir-fry or a leftovers night. Home early on Monday? Try that new recipe or make time to prep for the other days you’re busy.
• Batch Cooking: When you’re making dinner, double the recipe. That’s lunch sorted for tomorrow. Just remember to portion it out before you sit down to eat—because we’ve all had those “oops, I ate the leftovers” moments.

Planning doesn’t mean every meal has to be fancy. Simple, nourishing dishes like chilli, sheet pan veggies with chicken, or hearty soups can be prepped in advance and enjoyed throughout the week.

3. Kitchen Gadgets That Make Life Easier

These aren’t essential, you don’t have to go spend a load of money on expensive kitchen gadgets to eat healthy. But a few handy gadgets can make healthy cooking faster and more fun.

• Soup Maker: Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s amazing. Toss in raw veggies, some stock, and seasonings, and 20 minutes later, you’ve got fresh, homemade soup. Perfect for cosy lunches or a quick dinner.
• Food Processor: Hate chopping onions? Same. A food processor can chop, grate and blend ingredients. It’s a total time-saver, especially when meal prepping.
• Slow Cooker (or Instant Pot): Imagine this: you throw ingredients into the pot before work, and when you get home, dinner is ready. Stews, curries, pulled chicken—the possibilities are endless. The Instant Pot takes it up a notch with features like sautéing, steaming, and even yogurt-making.
• Air-fryer: The newest of the gadgets. I wasn’t sold on it at first to be honest. I thought it was something that would die out quickly and we’d all go back to using the oven. But this can really help you get a healthy meal cooked quickly, and it looks like the hype isn’t dying down any time soon.

4. Keep Healthy Snacks Within Reach

Ever come home ravenous, only to inhale chocolates, crisps or biscuits before dinner? It happens. The trick is to have healthier snacks ready before hunger strikes.

Smart snacking tips:

• Protein is your friend: It keeps you fuller for longer and helps prevent those “hangry” episodes. Think boiled eggs, Greek yoghurt, roasted nuts, dates with peanut butter or hummus with some veggie sticks.
• Read the labels: If you’re buying snack bars and protein balls, make sure you’re reading your food labels. Check for sneaky sugars and unnecessary ingredients.

Having balanced snacks on hand can curb cravings and keep your energy steady throughout the day.

5. Healthy Food Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

The biggest myth about healthy eating? That it’s bland and boring. You can turn your favourite takeaways into healthy ‘fake-aways’. I honestly think the more you do this, the more you’ll love the taste of home-cooked meals, and fall out of love with take-out food (yes, really!).

• Spice it up: Herbs and spices aren’t just for flavour—they’re packed with antioxidants and health benefits.
• Get inspired: Invest in a good cookbook or follow some chefs and food creators online for fresh ideas. Some of my favourites include Ottolenghi, Mob, Doctors Kitchen, Deliciously Ella and Jamie Oliver.

See how many options you have when it comes to starting to eat for healthy skin?

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen or giving up the foods you love. It’s all about balance, planning, and finding what works for you. Whether it’s adding more veggies, getting creative with spices, or simply having a snack plan, small changes can lead to big results.

If you’re looking for personalized advice tailored to your health goals, I’d love to help. Book a consultation, and let’s create a plan that fits your lifestyle—no boring salads required!