Happy Skin Salad

Why this works

Every ingredient earns its place — chosen for the gut-skin axis benefit it delivers. Beetroot supports liver and bile flow. Avocado supplies healthy fats and vitamin E. Leafy greens deliver folate and chlorophyll. Seeds add zinc and selenium — both critical for skin clarity.

Ingredients — the salad

• 1 medium beetroot, grated (or roasted and sliced)
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 1 large handful baby spinach
• 1 large handful kale (massaged with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon for 30 seconds)
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 avocado, cubed
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
• Handful fresh mint or coriander

Ingredients — tahini-lemon dressing

• 1 tablespoon hulled tahini
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
• Sea salt + cracked pepper, to taste
• 2–3 teaspoons water, to loosen

Method

1. Whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add water a teaspoon at a time until it pours.
2. Arrange the kale and spinach in a wide shallow bowl.
3. Top with grated beetroot, grated carrot, cucumber, avocado and seeds.
4. Drizzle with the dressing and finish with fresh herbs.

Why every ingredient is here

• Beetroot — betalains support liver detoxification, relevant for clearer skin via the gut-skin axis.
• Carrot — beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A which supports skin cell turnover.
• Leafy greens — folate and chlorophyll support red blood cell production and overall vitality.
• Avocado — monounsaturated fats and vitamin E for the lipid layer of the skin.
• Pumpkin seeds — one of the highest natural sources of zinc.
• Tahini — calcium and healthy fats; the sesame seeds also supply selenium.
• Lemon — vitamin C boosts iron absorption from the leafy greens.

Naturopath’s note

"I tell clients on a body cleanse to eat this bowl at least 4 times a week. It’s the easiest, most reliable way to flood your system with gut- and skin-supporting nutrients without overthinking it. Paired with a serve of Purify Body Cleanse in the morning, this is a complete day."

Macros (approx, per serve)

Calories ~430 kcal · Protein 12g · Carbs 26g · Fat 30g · Fibre 14g

Variations

• Add a poached egg or grilled salmon for additional protein.
• Swap kale for rocket in summer.
• Add 1/3 cup cooked quinoa or buckwheat for a more substantial lunch.