Foods to Absolutely Avoid If You Want Clear, Glowing Skin
4 min read
According to Dr. Lipman, “Your skin is your largest organ and a window into what’s going on inside your body. Poor food choices that cause inflammation can lead to numerous skin issues.”
If a cleanse is a bit dramatic for you, no worries. You can still reap some of the benefits by making these seven food swaps. Dr. Lipman outlined which foods to avoid, why they are toxic for your skin, and what to replace them with.
Eliminate: Cow’s Milk Cheese
“Dairy is such a trigger for skin problems such as acne,” said Dr. Lipman. “All dairy, even if from grass-fed organic cows, comes from lactating cows. It’s therefore full of hormones from the cow, which can translate into hormonal acne in humans — particularly because it boosts male hormones, which are linked to acne. A 2009 review of 21 studies, for example, found that cow’s milk increased both the number of people who got acne and its severity.
Replace With: Cashew Cheese or Nutritional Yeast
“These foods have no lactose but can be used in the same way as other cheeses,” he explained. “Enjoy them as spreads, seasonings, and snacks.”
Eliminate: Crackers and Processed Carbohydrates
Replace With: Seed Crackers or Almond Flour Crackers
“These crackers are full of good-for-you healthy fats and protein,” he said. “They are also low in sugar and full of fiber to balance blood sugar and insulin levels.”
Eliminate: Juice
“How green is that green juice?” Dr. Lipman questioned. “If it tastes sweet, it most likely has too many sugars. Many green juices have up to 50 grams of sugar! And they often lack the natural fibers found in whole fruits, which are so helpful in moderating insulin release. And remember that more insulin means more acne. So if you can lower your sugar intake, your skin will definitely be clearer.”
Replace With: Dr. Lipman’s Mocha Chocolate Smoothie
Instead of a juice, Dr. Lipman suggests a yummy smoothie that is high in healthy fats and protein. Here’s one of his favorite recipes.
- 1 scoop Be Well Chocolate Whey Protein powder
- 1/2 cup Native Forest coconut milk
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water (less water makes for a thicker smoothie)
- 1 teaspoon organic instant coffee
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 6 to 8 ice cubes
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend till smooth and creamy.
Eliminate: Soda
“Soda is full of sugar and other artificial chemicals, all of which produce inflammation inside the body,” he advised. “Your skin is your biggest organ, and even though it’s on the outside of your body, it’s a window into what’s going on inside. Not only does soda increase insulin levels, but diet soda especially disrupts the necessary and healthy bacteria found in your gut. Skin issues such as rosacea, eczema, acne, and more are all evidence of an imbalance of gut bacteria.”
Replace With: Kombucha
“Kombucha is a drink that is fermented, and therefore it’s full of probiotics, or gut-healthy bacteria!” the doctor said. “So drinking kombucha can help repopulate your healthy gut bacteria and rebalance your microbes. In layman’s terms: by fixing your gut, you can clear up your skin! It can be that simple.”
Eliminate: Canned Soup
“Canned soup is full of sodium and BPA (bisphenol),” he noted. “All of the salt in canned soup can make your skin retain water and appear bloated and dry. In addition, BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which causes problems with hormones. It’s also a foreign chemical that can enter your body and cause inflammation.”
Eliminate: Canned Tuna
“Canned tuna is often farmed and lacking in the nutrients found in wild fish,” Dr. Lipman warned. “Additionally, tuna is high in mercury, which can lead to mercury toxicity!”
Eliminate: Coffee
“Caffeine is a diuretic, which causes your body to lose water and your skin to be dehydrated,” he noted.
Replace With: Hot Water With Lemon
