10 Foods That Make Your Skin Break Out & 10 Healthier Alternatives
Tired of Unbeatable Acne?
If you’ve experienced acne or skin issues that never seem to go away despite how many products you try, then the problem might be internal. Our diet can affect the way we look, and our skin is especially sensitive to some food products. With that in mind, consider cutting out certain dishes and trying different ones instead.
1. Milk Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth, you probably love eating ungodly amounts of milk chocolate – after all, everyone needs a pick-me-up dessert. But milk chocolate is unfortunately full of sugar, dairy, and additives that are known to contribute to hormonal acne.
2. Fast-Food Pizza
Whether you prefer Dominos or the Hut, pizza is another item known to contribute to inflammation and sebum production. This is because it’s full of dairy, saturated fat, nitrates, and refined carbs, all factors that contribute to acne.
3. Nutella
There’s nothing more classic than a Nutella sandwich for a quick snack or meal. However, this product is full of sugar, skim milk, and palm oil, all ingredients that promote inflammation. Milk proteins in particular are known to stimulate acne hormones, which makes this an item to avoid.
4. Starbucks Frappuccinos
Sometimes on a warm summer’s day, nothing quite hits the spot like a creamy and cold Frappuccino. But these drinks are full of sugar, dairy, and syrups known to cause insulin spikes. Dairy in particular is an acne trigger you’ll want to limit.
5. French Fries
French fries are the pivotal side to so many dishes from burgers to sandwiches to hot dogs. But unfortunately these deep-fried delights are loaded with salt and refined carbs. Not only does this raise blood sugar, but it also contributes to inflammatory acne.
6. Cereal
Cereal is an incredibly convenient breakfast option. It takes less than three minutes to prepare, but unfortunately, the high amounts of added sugar and low fiber levels aren’t helping your system. Plus, the use of milk can raise inflammation and contribute to acne.
7. Instant Ramen
Instant ramen is another totally convenient snack that you can prepare in five to ten minutes depending on how fancy you want to get. Unfortunately, it’s loaded with MSG, preservatives, and refined carbs which are all highly inflammatory and will irritate your skin.
8. Ice Cream Pints
Whether you prefer Ben and Jerry’s or Häagen-Dazs, these small pints may seem like the perfect after-dinner dessert. But their combination of dairy and sugars are a double trigger for acne. In fact, the use of saturated fats in the pints also worsen oily skin for some.
9. Cupcakes
It’s time for dessert and you’re starting to feel the limited options. So maybe you grab one of your Hostess cupcakes or just pull one out of the oven. Well, if it involves refined sugars, white flour, and trans fats, you’re not going to be doing your skin any favors.
10. Skim Milk
The worst offender by a lot is undoubtedly skimmed milk, as many studies have linked it to acne because of the hormonal content and casein proteins in the milk. Additionally, it’s known to trigger increases in hormones that boost oil production.
Now that we have talked about foods you’ll want to avoid, here are 10 to go for instead.
1. Dark Chocolate
If you saw the milk chocolate ban and lamented, then don’t worry, you can still partake in dark chocolate. While not as sweet as its predecessor, dark chocolate has way less dairy and sugar, which are known to be acne triggers.
2. Homemade Pizza
If you adore pizza but want to avoid the fast-food variety in order to reduce your saturated fat and carb intake, try homemade pizzas instead. Using whole grain crusts or even vegan options like cashew cheese or simply lighter mozzarella can help lower sebum production and keep your skin clear.
3. Unsweetened Almond Butter
If you have a Nutella-shaped hole in your heart and need a new spread for your sandwiches, consider almond butter instead. This butter involves a little cocoa powder and sometimes maple syrup for sweetness, and is far safer than the inflaming ingredients packed in Nutella.
4. Iced Matcha
If you’re a Starbucks fanatic and need a new summer drink to replace your Frappuccino, look no further than an iced matcha latte. Opting for unsweetened almond or oat milk will get rid of the acne-triggering dairy. Plus, a bit of stevia or honey will keep the sugar levels low to prevent inflammation.
5. Sweet Potato Fries
If you need a new companion for your sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs, give sweet potato fries a chance. You can bake them to reduce the processed oil intake and can even top them off with some anti-inflammatory olive oil or turmeric (or both)!
6. Oats
If you’re looking for an equally convenient breakfast option that’s better for your skin, go with oats instead. You can make them super healthy by throwing in chia seeds or berries, but the most important part is using plant-based milks that won’t upset your skin.
7. Rice Noodles
If you adore ramen but want a healthier and less intense alternative for your skin, try using rice noodles with a homemade broth. This way you can control the amount of carbs, salts, and preservatives going into your dish. Also consider incorporating some miso paste for the probiotic benefits.
8. Dairy-Free Bars
You’re probably tired of hearing about all the ways you have to remove dairy from your life to help your skin. But unfortunately, that’s just how it is. Luckily, you can still enjoy ice cream by opting for some dairy-free vanilla bars that are low in sugar and just as good.
9. Bran Muffins
If you love that muffin texture and want a dessert you won’t feel guilty about, go for bran muffins instead. You could also try muffins made from almond flours. The key is to keep the sugar, fats, and flour use down.
10. Plant-Based Milks
It’s clear to see that if you struggle with acne, it could be due to increased hormonal content and whey proteins, all of which are boosted by skim milk. So instead, try almond milk or oat milk instead as they are hormone free.
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