Walnuts

The skinny:

"Walnuts offer up healthy Omega-3 fats that strengthen the membranes of your skin cells, locking in moisture and nutrients that keep it plump and glowing and keeping out toxins that can damage skin cells," say Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh, Registered Dieticians and co-owners of C&J Nutrition in Manhattan. The nourishing fats in walnuts attract moisture from the air, soothing dry skin. "These healthy fats may also reduce skin inflammation (read: fewer breakouts!) and play a role in protecting the skin against harmful UV rays," say Clarke and Jarosh. Additionally, these anti-inflammatory agents help to keep your hair looking glossy by reducing scalp irritation.

Pro-tips:

- Walnuts are a versatile and delicious. "You can add them to hot and cold cereal, use as a crust for fish, or mix into salads - just to name a few uses," say Clarke and Jarosh. Walnuts can also be used as an interesting substitute for pine nuts in pesto recipes.

- Walnuts stay fresher for longer when stored in airtight containers in your fridge or freezer. Additionally, leaving in-shell walnuts unopened will increase their shelf life and keep them tasting great. 

- Explore the taste roasting, baking or toasting walnuts next time you eat them. Don't worry, heating them doesn't change their nutritional value significantly. 

- While walnuts are great for you, don't go too overboard on the snacking - they contain 183 calories per ounce!

Rich in oil, walnuts make for extra-gentle sloughing. Blend 1/4 cup shelled walnuts, 1/2 cup olive oil (for extra emollients), and a tablespoon of honey (to seal moisture into your skin) in a food processor set on a slow speed, creating a fine-particle scrub. Standing in the shower (if you're scrubbing your feet) or over a sink (if it's for your hands), work the mixture thoroughly over your skin for a couple of minutes. Rinse with warm water.