We might not be able to stop the years coming around, but we can try to stop the effects with just a few small lifestyle changes to benefit our bodies. Here are our top recommendations of food to include in your weekly cooking routine in order to help with ageing.

Strawberries & Blueberries

Strawberries are an excellent source of nutrition and vitamins, as a cup of strawberries provides around 150% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Consuming more Vitamin C rich foods has been reported to help keep back wrinkles.

Blueberries are also high in vitamin C, which contents aids blood circulation and provides minerals and salts which help the body to fight the ageing process. These little berries are pure goodness, plus they taste delicious!

How to enjoy them: Why not try enjoying fresh strawberries and blueberries as part of your morning breakfast. Add granola and natural yoghurt into a bowl. Slice your strawberries and add them and the blueberries to your bowl. For extra natural sweetness, add a squeeze of honey.

Kidney beans

One of the easiest ways to prevent ageing is to reduce your cholesterol. Kidney beans are full of fibre, potassium and zinc which are ideal for reducing cholesterol and protecting against heart disease, helping you look and feel younger for longer. But their big winner is protein: weight for weight dried beans contain as much protein as fillet steak, but have more health benefits!

How to enjoy: With an easy five bean salad recipe, you can pack plenty of protein into just one meal. Or if you’re not a fan of the taste of kidney beans, add them into a delicious chilli con carne to help disguise the taste with strong tomato & beef flavours.

Avocados

Many people hear the term ‘fat’ and think any fat foods should be completely avoided if you’re trying to lose weight. But in reality, there’s such a thing as good fats – and avocados are certainly one of those. They’re filled with a healthy type of fat, monounsaturated fat, which helps your skin stay hydrated. That same healthy fat can also help you absorb some vitamins and nutrients that your skin needs – perfect for preventing ageing by keeping your skin looking fresh and young.

How to enjoy: For a simple and healthy lunch, mash up a ripe avocado and add salt and pepper to flavour. Grill bacon and tomatoes, whilst poaching an egg. Use seeded toast as you base, layer on the smashed avocado, add the bacon and tomatoes, and top with your perfectly poached egg. For extra flavour, sprinkle over chilli flakes and paprika.

Cocoa

This one may be the most surprising of all, since some people say chocolate can be prone to producing bad skin and even be the cause of acne. However, studies have suggested that there’s no real connection between chocolate and the skin – so we can all breathe easy again! Some studies have explained that Cocoa contains a type of flavonoid called epicatechin, and epicatechin increases blood flow to the skin, boosting nutrient and oxygen supply—both factors essential for keeping skin looking and feeling healthy.

How to enjoy: If you have a sweet tooth and you’re a fan of a good old winter Hot Chocolate, try opting for a healthier version than your shop bought packet mixtures. With just milk, cocoa powder, raw sugar and vanilla extract you can create an easy hot chocolate, without the added ingredients and sugar of premixed options.

Tuna

Eat more seafood and your body and brain will thank you for it! Tuna, as well as salmon and sardines are rich in omega 3 which may help in keeping your skin looking younger for longer! EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is one of the omega-3 fats found in fatty fish, which has been proven to preserve collagen in the skin, which helps maintain firmness. Perfect for creating a youthful appearance!

How to enjoy them: Throw in a selection of greens, lettuce, tomato and red onion into a salad dish. Add some red onion and a cut up hard-boiled egg. Put in your Tuna chunks and drizzle with olive oil, or a dressing of your preference.