Your skin is the body's largest organ. And just like any organ, your skin relies on daily nourishment to repair and revitalize itself.
This is why it’s vital to eat a diet high in key nutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin A, collagen, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
For the same reason, there are foods you should avoid like the plague.
These are foods (and one drink) that aren’t just lacking in nutrients, but can actually sabotage your skin, leading to acne, dryness, sagging, and aggressive wrinkling:
- Excessive Salt: Consuming too much salt causes water retention, making your skin look bloated and puffy, especially around the eyes. So go easy on the salt shaker to avoid etched in eye wrinkles.
- Alcohol: While a cocktail or two can be fun, alcohol is a diuretic that causes your body to release water and nutrients. This then leaves your skin dehydrated and dull. So when opening a bottle of wine, remember moderation is key.
- Processed Meats: Processed meats, like sausages and deli meats, are laced with hormones and antibiotics. These chemicals can cause oiliness, acne breakouts, and even dry, flak skin. So if you can't resist eating a ham sandwich, make sure you balance it out with an apple or orange.
- Processed Cheese: Processed cheese can also be loaded with hormones. And along with affecting your mood and waistline, hormonal imbalances can trigger oily skin and breakouts. So opt for unprocessed cheeses, like feta, goat, or cottage cheese, rather than processed junk.
- White Bread: With all the fiber removed, white bread ranks high on the glycemic index. Along with spiking your blood glucose, the sugar molecules can bind to your two key skin proteins: Collagen and elastin. This then makes them weaker, leading to skin damage. So always choose multigrain, granary, or seeded bread for a lower glycemic load.
By being mindful of these five foods you can limit their impact on your skin health, and help to maintain a radiant, youthful glow.
And if you must eat them, make sure you’re also nourishing your skin with foods rich in key vitamins, like citrus fruits, almonds, and salmon, so your skin shines from the inside out!
