Eating right and exercising regularly are well-known contributors to a healthy body. However, you must realize that food choices are essential to get the healthy skin they desire. Do you know that certain food items that appear healthy can cause long-term damage to your skin? Consuming sugary treats and fatty oils can significantly impact your skin. Discover which food items from your meal plan need to be replaced with healthy alternatives.

Five foods to avoid for healthier skin

Excessively sugary drinks and snacks
Excessive sugar intake can trigger inflammation, drying the skin and making it dull and wrinkled. The sugar molecules get attached to collagen and elastin fibers of the skin, breaking them down and decreasing elasticity. As a result, the skin no longer looks smooth or feels healthy.
Not only does excessive sugar consumption cause premature skin aging, but it also results in skin diseases or conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The body’s insulin levels increase the growth of bacteria when it digests excess sugars. It, in turn, can cause flare-ups of skin conditions and further damage the skin (dryness, itchiness, and darkening).
Moreover, consuming large amounts of sweets (or overeating) leads to an unhealthy BMI, resulting in more wrinkles and saggy skin. You can keep your skin youthful by swapping sugary snacks with healthier binging alternatives, such as nuts, fruits, and seeds (quinoa or legumes).

Refined oils (especially canola oil)
The primary reason to avoid canola oil (or any refined oil) is excessive trans fats. Trans fats can cause inflammation and weaken your skin, affecting its structural integrity through loss of muscle tone, sagging skin, or causing aging signs (wrinkles, fine lines, etc.)
Refined oils like canola oil are easily oxidized due to their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content. When fats are oxidized (due to exposure to heat, light, and oxygen), they form toxic compounds like aldehydes that can accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation and skin diseases like psoriasis.
Like all refined oils, canola oil contains harmful free radicals (highly reactive and unstable molecules or fragments of molecules with an unpaired electron). These can damage our cells’ DNA and lead to various skin conditions, including premature aging, wrinkles, and certain types of skin cancer, such as cell and basal cell carcinoma.
Instead of refined oils, opt for organic, cold-pressed oils rich in nutrients like healthy fats and Vitamin E for healthier skin.

Processed meats
Processed meats are usually high in salt, fat, and calories which can contribute to skin diseases and conditions like acne, inflammation, and premature aging. Excessive salt and fat intake strip the skin of its oil, making it feel dry and scaly. The fat content in processed meats can also increase sebum production, clogging your pores and causing breakouts. Sebum is the oily, waxy substance of fatty acids aiding in temperature regulation and preventing the skin from becoming too dry.
Processed meats are also high in certain preservatives linked to skin diseases such as allergies and irritations. Nitrates, for example, are often added to processed meats as a preservative and are associated with skin rashes, eye problems, and blurred vision. Processed meats contain artificial colorings and flavors, which can irritate the skin and worsen existing skin conditions.
So, next time you experience extreme hunger pangs, try swapping burgers and sausages for lean protein and healthy fats such as fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. A balanced meal plan is the most effective way to ensure beautiful, healthy skin.

Processed dairy products
Eating food with a large amount of saturated fat develops skin irritation in the form of acne/spots. Notably, processed dairy products often have more saturated fat compared to their fresh counterparts (with concentrations of 60-70%). The fat content in these products can clog the skin’s pores and cause outbursts. Long-term exposure to preservatives like hydrogen peroxide in processed foods can result in the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and reduced skin elasticity.
Processed dairy products may contain synthetic hormones (rbGH) and antibiotics (sulfonamides, tetracyclines). These hormones can affect the balance of hormones in your body and cause several skin diseases and issues, such as acne and premature aging.
Opting for unprocessed dairy products in your meals will likely result in healthier skin. Processed dairy products often contain added hormones like prolactin and somatin, which may cause breakouts and disrupt the balance of hormones. This may lead to acne or skin diseases and conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Fast food
Eating deep-fried foods such as potato fries and chicken nuggets will immediately increase your daily intake of unhealthy fats and potentially cause inflammation.
French fries, in particular, can be classified as a food with a high glycemic index. This means the carbohydrate breaks down quickly and spikes blood sugar levels in the body. When eaten on an empty stomach, the sudden rise in your blood sugar and insulin levels can cause skin diseases because of hormone fluctuations.
Saturated fats are commonly found in fried foods and processed meats. These can clog the pores and lead to blemishes. However, unhealthy eating habits can lead to deficiencies in vitamins A, C, E, and B-complex, which are vital for skin health. When these nutritional requirements are low, collagen production slows down, and skin elasticity is lost, resulting in dull, saggy skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
You have determined that most unhealthy skin disease-causing food items share something in common– they are all high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These nutrients are not only bad for your skin but also your overall health. Therefore, focus on green, leafy vegetables and unprocessed lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish for better skin.

Wrapping up
Finally, selecting dietary choices beneficial for maintaining skin health and preventing skin diseases is a practical approach to sustaining healthy skin. You may consume more fiber, water, proteins, vitamins, and healthy fats in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain foods, quinoa, brown rice, and peanut butter. Consuming nutritious meals with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates can help you maintain healthy skin and avoid skin diseases.