5 Fall Foods That Have Awesome Beauty Benefits

By SwElizabeth anson, Martha Stewart

As we embrace the full arrival of fall, we leave behind swimsuits, watermelon, rosé, and complexions that naturally seem to radiate. But there are wonderful aspects of fall, too, like multicolored leaves, autumnal wedding décor, and delicious, in-season produce packed with big beauty benefits. That's right, eating fall foods can help you maintain that summer glow long after the season ends, and we all know that this is especially helpful if you're a fall bride. Here, culinary nutrition expert Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, shares her favorite autumn produce with major beauty benefits, plus how she loves to eat each.

Sweet potatoes and winter squash.

Try baking them with sea salt, or pureeing them to create a roasted butternut squash soup. "They're excellent sources of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that promote skin-cell renewal, and are great sources of vitamin C, which promotes plump, firm collagen production, and prevents free-radical damage," Levinson says.

Clementines and oranges.

Get a burst of vitamin C with these citrus fruits. Aside from eating them plain, Levinson likes to add them to salads and salsas, and uses the juice for marinades.

Pears.

Pears are another great source of vitamin C, and promote healthy digestion—key for glowing skin. Levinson likes to put them in oatmeal and salads, or poach them for a sweet treat.

Pomegranates.

Rich in antioxidants, pomegranates are great for eating on their own as a snack, or, as Levinson recommends, try adding them to a vegetable salad for a burst of unexpected flavor.

Leafy greens.

Spinach and kale are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C and E—a trifecta of nutrients for radiant skin. Make a huge salad for lunch daily, and add in whatever else you want—you can even try adding all of these foods into one salad for a huge beauty boost all in one fell swoop.