So THIS Is Why You Should Eat For Your Face, Not Your Body

You might've been a saint counting calories down to the decimal point but your slimming plan can cause red alert on your skin. Here's how to please them both.

There's a common saying in the beauty world that when you hit 30, you need to choose between your face and your body. Sounds like a harsh choice but we've learnt from celebs that if you're too focussed on a skinny frame, your skin becomes thin and welcomes wrinkles. However, if you eat a 'good face diet' full of nutrients, your skin glows like a beacon. Not convinced? Have you seen Beyoncé recently?

Jennifer Irvine, health guru to the stars and founder of top nutrition regimes, The Pure Package and Balance Box gives us the five golden rules to gleaming skin without hindering your waistline.

1. Make protein your pro-team.

'There’s a reason the term ‘beauty from the inside out’ exists. Protein is needed for collagen production so by eating a rainbow spectrum of vegetables containing quality protein and fibrous carbohydrates, you support this rapid cell growth. Betacarotene, found in sweet potato, pumpkin, kale, spinach and papaya is known to be great for regular skin cell development and healthy skin tone. Broccoli is important for healthy functioning collagen as it strengthens the capillaries in the skin. Avocados, hazelnuts and almonds are all omega rich and support the skin with their Vitamin E properties. Feeding your skin from the inside out with vital nutrients it needs helps it stay soft, supple and blemish-free.' 2. Get fruity.

'Vitamin C from oranges and kiwi fruits are known to boost collagen. One of my favourite things for skin health is lemons, I find that they are a wonder for my skin and very simple to add into your routine, simply adding to water (1-3 litres) and sipped throughout the day. I sometimes add ginger during the winter months.' 3. Fats don't make you fat.

'Don’t be afraid of the good fats such as nuts (almonds, brazil, hazelnuts and walnuts are best), avocados and good quality oils such as coconut oil – it is all about portion control and balance. A handful of nuts for a mid-morning or afternoon snack is ideal. These provide essential fatty acids which act as a natural moisturiser for your skin, helping to keep it supple.' 4. Beware of hidden sugars.

'Low calorie foods can be heavily processed and loaded with sugar. Many contain artificial sweeteners which cause havoc with your skin by breaking down the effectiveness of elastin, collagen and proteins that help maintain its youthful appearance. The answer is to stick to foods in their most natural form.' 5. Skin hates slimming.

'Having healthy skin is about balance not deprivation, so starvation diets are sure to affect the skin in negative way. We have many celebrity clients that understand this and they always report back to us that their skin is one of the first things to improve.'

Get more info on Jennifer's bespoke healthy eating plans at purepackage.com and balancebox.com.