My Weekly Grocery Guide for Glowing, Healthy Skin

My Weekly Grocery Guide for Glowing, Healthy Skin

Written by Founder, Amir Karam MD

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When it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin, what you put on your plate is just as important as what you put on your skin. 

While a consistent skincare routine, like Trifecta, can deliver powerful results externally, nourishing your body with the right foods fuels your skin from the inside out.

Neda and I cook at home 90% of the time, and by doing so, we can work with all types of ingredients and whole foods that are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and proteins that support skin health and our overall well-being.

With our busy schedules—whether it’s long hours in surgery, managing our family, or finding time to stay active—we make time for cooking and eating right by making a healthy grocery list each weekend and meal planning for the week ahead.

Neda makes her staple salads, and I eat a lot of the same things consistently, like a green smoothie every morning and my protein cookie each afternoon. Then we always prepare a delicious, nutrient-dense dinner with protein, healthy fats, and beautiful bright, fresh vegetables to fuel our bodies with everything it needs to keep our skin looking youthful and vibrant.

In this guide, I’ll share a typical weekly grocery list of our essentials--some of my favorite foods for glowing skin.

Why Your Diet Matters for Your Skin

The saying “You are what you eat” couldn’t be more relevant when it comes to your skin.

As the body’s largest organ, your skin is constantly influenced by what you put into it. A clean, nutrient-rich diet provides your skin with essential building blocks for repair, hydration, and resilience, while poor food choices can accelerate aging, lead to breakouts, and disrupt your skin’s natural glow.


A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats can:

  • Reduce skin conditions and inflammation
  • Support natural collagen production
  • Boost skin hydration
  • Improve skin elasticity
  • Protect against environmental stressors

On the flip side, diets high in processed foods can introduce toxins into your system, which try to escape through the skin, leading to clogged pores and acne. Refined sugars bind to collagen and elastin which weakens these proteins and increase signs of aging like sagging, wrinkles, and dullness. Additionally, heavily processed foods can spike blood sugar levels that contribute to inflammation, disrupt the skin barrier, and accelerate collagen breakdown, leaving skin looking dull and tired. 

So, if you want to keep your body in optimal health, and as a result achieve that natural glow and healthy skin, it start with your grocery list!

How Certain Foods Boost Your Skin Health

If you’ve ever wondered how your diet impacts your complexion, the answer lies in incorporating skin-friendly foods.

A glowing skin diet packed with specific nutrients can help clear your skin and enhance its radiance. Here are some of the best foods for clear, glowing skin:

  • Antioxidants: Found in berries, broccoli, and kale. They protect skin from free radicals and environmental stressors.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds. They reduce inflammation and improve hydration.
  • Vitamin C: Present in citrus fruits, kale, and strawberries. It boosts collagen production and brightens skin.
  • Protein: Found in meat sources like chicken and beef, or vegetarian options like Greek yogurt and lentils. Essential for cell repair and regeneration.

When you prioritize these foods, you’re not only nourishing your skin but also energizing your body and supporting your overall health.


Our Weekend Grocery List for Healthy Skin Essentials

If you’re looking for the best foods for skin and a simple way to incorporate them into your diet, this weekly grocery guide is the perfect starting point.

Neda and I are really consistent with our meals, so we stick to this list pretty closely, but we also shop seasonally to take advantage of nutrient-packed options that align with the changing seasons.

These foods are not only delicious, with the added benefit of promoting healthier skin and overall well-being, but they also integrate effortlessly into a busy lifestyle. Their versatility makes it simple to create nourishing meals—whether blended into smoothies, tossed into salads, incorporated into protein bowls, or enjoyed as satisfying breakfasts, snacks, or even the occasional indulgent treat—everything on this list is supporting your skin and health goals.

This skin-boosting grocery list is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients to support collagen production, improve hydration, boost elasticity, firmness and brightness, and enhance skin vitality for a clear, glowing complexion.

01.

Fresh Produce

Fruits and vegetables are packed with skin-loving vitamins, antioxidants, and hydration.

  • Leafy Greens: Rich in vitamins A, C, E, antioxidants, and hydrating nutrients.
  • Bananas: Rich in potassium and natural sugars, they hydrate and soften the skin.
  • Sweet Potato: Packed with beta-carotene, which helps achieve a natural glow.
  • Broccoli: Contains vitamins C and E for skin protection and repair.
  • Green Beans: Packed with vitamins and minerals that support clear, balanced skin.
  • Carrots: Another beta-carotene powerhouse to boost skin radiance.
  • Celery: Hydrates and delivers skin-friendly minerals.
  • Mango: Full of vitamin C and antioxidants for brightening and collagen support.
  • Pomegranate: Acts as a skin-tightening agent.
  • Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants to combat free radicals and reduce signs of agin

02.

Seeds & Nuts

These tiny powerhouses are rich in healthy fats to keep skin plump and youthful.

  • Walnuts: High in omega-3 fatty acids to improve hydration and elasticity.
  • Pumpkin Seeds: Rich in zinc, which supports skin repair and healing.
  • Chia Seeds: Loaded with omega-3s and antioxidants to support the skin barrier.
  • Almonds: Skin health powerhouse with antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin.

03.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber and essential nutrients.

  • Gluten-Free Oats: Rich in antioxidants, fiber, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Almond Flour: Packed with vitamin E and healthy fats that improve hydration.
  • Quinoa: A complete protein with essential amino acids for skin repair.

04.

Protein Sources

Protein supports collagen production and promotes cellular repair.

  • Chicken: High in protein for collagen production, skin repair, and firmness.
  • Lentils: Plant-based protein rich in iron and zinc to promote collagen production.
  • Black Beans: High in fiber to reduce inflammation, and support collagen.
  • Greek Yogurt: Contains probiotics and protein to balance the skin.
  • Protein Powder: Collagen-boosting amino acids for skin elasticity, and firmness.

05.

Collagen-Boosting Foods

These ingredients are specifically known for their collagen-boosting properties.

  • Citrus: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are rich in vitamin C for collagen synthesis.
  • Kale: Full of vitamins A, C, and K to repair and rejuvenate skin.
  • Brussels Sprouts: High in vitamin C for collagen production and a brighter complexion.
  • Eggs: Contain biotin for skin health and elasticity.
  • Salmon: A source of omega-3s for hydrated, youthful skin.
  • Bone Broth: Provides collagen and amino acids for skin firmness.
  • Avocados: Deliver healthy fats to keep skin hydrated and glowing.
  • Dark Chocolate: Antioxidants combat free radicals and protect skin

06.

Pantry Essentials

Spices are often overlooked but can also have powerful skin benefits:

  • Turmeric: Antioxidants protect and brighten, reduces redness, calms irritation.
  • Garlic: Supports clear skin and helps protect against environmental damage.
  • Coconut Oil: Hydrates and nourishes skin from within.
  • Almond Milk: Rich in healthy fats to nourish and contriubute to smoother skin.
  • Electrolytes: Potassium, magnesium, and sodium help balance the skin's hydration.


The Bottom Line: Eat Your Way to Healthier Skin

Your skin is a reflection of your internal health. With a healthy grocery list and balanced diet rich in whole foods, antioxidants, healthy fats, and proteins, you can naturally support your skin’s glow and resilience.

So, next time you head to the grocery store, think of it as stocking up on skincare from the inside out. 

Pair this healthy diet with your KaramMD Trifecta routine, and you’ll be on your way to healthy, radiant skin in no time!

Amir Karam MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Founder / Creator of KaramMD Skin

Dr. Amir Karam is a renowned facial cosmetic surgeon and an authority in his field. With over two decades of experience helping patients achieve a younger, refreshed appearance. In addition to surgical procedures that sculpt a youthfully-defined facial shape, Dr. Karam takes the quality of the skin into account.

9 comments

Rhonda Mullenix

Thank you for all your helpful knowledge.
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KaramMD Skin replied:
Hi Rhonda—So glad you enjoyed it! Let us know if there are ever any topics you’d like to see covered.

Tricia C.

Thank you Amir & Neda for sharing your skin care routines, surgery details, experience in dermatology, and healthy eating info. You provide a plethora of expert advice and set an amazing example for those seeking to care for and improve themselves. Your efforts are much appreciated. ❤️
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KaramMD Skin replied:
Hi Tricia-Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading! If there’s ever anything you’d like to see discussed in the journal please let us know!

Richa Perrin

You referenced a protein cookie in the afternoon. Do you mind sharing it with me? Would love to look into that
———
KaramMD Skin replied:
Hi Richa—You can find the protein cookie recipe here https://www.instagram.com/p/DDz2oL1yqzU/?igsh=MWQ3cDd0azI3aDIwOQ%3D%3D&img_index=2. Let us know if you have any questions and enjoy!

Coco

Dr. Karam,
I think you and Neda should write a health book with all your knowledge of food, meal prep, supplements, health/exercise/training advice.
You could call it Trifecta Health.
Coco
———
KaramMD Skin replied:
Hi Coco—Thank you for your comment. What a fun idea, maybe someday!

Colleen Molin

Enjoyed the article!
———
KaramMD Skin replied:
Hi Colleen—Thank you for your comment. So glad you enjoyed it! Feel free to share any topics you would ever like to see covered in the journal!

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