Remember when scientists swore your diet wasn’t to blame for your acne? Lately, they all had to eat their words. Once they started digging deeper into the research, turns out that yes, what you eat can give you the dreaded pimples… or clear them up (if you missed the latest scoop on acne and diet, click here to catch up!).
Sugar, diary and processed foods are the biggest culprits (of course!). But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to eating raw vegetables all your life (phew!). Here are a few delicious foods that’ll help you treat your acne from the inside, keep your skin clear from blemishes and satisfy your palate:
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Omega-3 rich foods
The Standard American Diet unabashedly favors omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. The typical ratio is 15:1! That’s a recipe for acne. Omega-6 are pro-inflammatory when omega-3 aren’t around to keep their balance in check. And guess what acne is? An inflammatory disease!
The ideal ratio to strive for to avoid inflammation is 3:1. Cutting down on vegetable oils and processed foods will go a long way in reducing the number of omega-6 crawling around your body, but upping your intake of omega-3 is a good idea, too.
It’s a delicious one as well. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines, walnuts, flaxseeds and avocados are all rich in omega-3. Why not start the day with an avocado toast, snack on walnuts in the afternoon and have roasted salmon for dinner?
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Oysters
Oysters are one of those foods you either love or hate. If you have acne, you’ll better love them - these slimy little creatures are some serious acne busters! Oysters are rich in zinc, a mineral that treats acne on several fronts: it kills the bacteria that causes acne, reduces inflammation and helps regulate oil production.
If you really hate the idea of munching on oysters, you can get your zinc fix from pumpkin seeds, spinach, or even dark chocolate!
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Probiotics
Probiotics are the new darlings of the healthy food brigade - and for a good reason too. The latest research shows that an abundance of bad bacteria in your gut causes inflammation all over your body. This inflammation then triggers an acne outbreak.
Probiotics repopulate your gut with the good kind of bacteria. The inflammation-fighting bacteria can heal our acne, too. Getting more probiotics into your diet is now easier than ever. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso soup, pickles, kimchi and kombucha all have their fair share of bacteria to kick your acne in the butt. Ever try fermenting something at home? It's so easy! A quick peek at Pinterest will give you thousands of easy fermentation recipes.
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Berries
Who doesn’t love berries? Even children who complain every time they have to eat their fruits and veggies are happy to gobble down a handful of blueberries or strawberries. Berries are as good as they are delicious. These little colourful balls are loaded with antioxidants that fight both inflammation and premature aging. The more antioxidants you eat, the more your acne will improve (and the fewer wrinkles you’ll have).
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Green Tea
Green tea is, for many, an acquired taste. But it’s one worth acquiring, trust me! The polyphenols in green tea are powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation, fight wrinkles and reduce sun damage. They won’t just help clear up your acne. They’ll improve the texture of your skin and keep it younger for longer. Fancy a cuppa, now?
A few little tweaks in your diet go a long way to keep your complexion clear and acne-free. Next time you’re cooking dinner, why not swap your frozen meal with smoked salmon with spinach and walnuts? It’s delicious, easy to make and will banish those dreaded pimples away!