When you think of healthy skin diets, the last thing that should come to mind is fast food. It's loaded with salt (known to aggravate acne and cause tissue swelling), bursting with greasy fat (increasing inflammation), and sneakily packs in tons of sugar (causing wrinkles and sagging). The havoc it wreaks on your skin is gross. Super size gross.
But -- and that's a big but if you're eating fast food on the regs -- we don't live in a perfect world where you always have the time, money, and willpower to drink organic spinach/wild salmon/sweet potato smoothies all day. Fast food is, well, fast -- one of the reasons why we love it. And if you're crazy busy with a million things on your metaphorical plate, then your dinner has likely, on occasion, come in a cardboard box with no real plate in sight.
So what, are we smoking crack and telling you all your excuses for eating fast food are fine and you shouldn't worry about the damage it could be doing to your skin, not to mention your overall health? Of course not. But we are telling you that if you have to, or want to eat fast food, at least make choices that are better for your skin than the rest (and don't worry, we didn�t just pick salads from every menu).
To help you navigate the fast food menu, we spoke to Jim White, R.D., a registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson, to find out which options to pick at some of your favorite fast food joints.
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Smoothie: 16 oz. Jamba Juice Probiotic Fruit & Yogurt Blends -- Vibrant Blueberry
What's in it: Nonfat yogurt, soymilk, and blueberries
Why it's a good choice: The yogurt and nonfat milk give you 10 grams of lean protein, which plays a key role in the repair of our organs, tissues, and cells and is an essential component of collagen. This smoothie also packs in 15 percent of your daily calcium intake, important for strong bones and teeth. The blueberries contribute 50 percent of your vitamin C for the day, help preserve long-term cell damage, and have extremely high levels of antioxidants -- perfect for fighting free radicals from environmental aggressors.
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Breakfast: Corner Bakery Old-Fashioned Oatmeal
What's in it: Old-fashioned steel-cut oats made with skim milk and choice of toppings (currants, dried cranberries, brown sugar, toasted walnuts, and almonds)
Why it's a good choice: Oatmeal is a great, B vitamin-rich breakfast, which is essential for healthy skin, says White. The nonfat milk adds a boost of protein and calcium as well. Feel free to add those toasted walnuts on top for their vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids; these have anti-inflammatory benefits that can help those with puffy, irritated skin. You can also add some of the anti-oxidant filled currants and cranberries (in moderation -- dried fruit is often high in sugar) but go easy on the brown sugar to keep this breakfast skin healthy.
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Tacos: Baha Fresh Grilled Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
What's in it: Mahi Mahi, sliced avocado, cabbage, Pico de Gallo, and avocado dressing on corn tortillas
Why it's a good choice: Mahi Mahi is low in fat, a good source of protein, potassium, and vitamins B6 and B3 (niacin), which help stimulate the repair of DNA and enhance cell turnover, making this fish a "great choice," says White. The avocado is not only rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, but also is a healthy and delicious fat that's good for your hair and skin, says White. Ask for the dressing on the side as it will be the culprit in adding excess sodium to this meal.
Why it's a good choice: Beans like chickpeas are an awesome skin nourishing food, says White. They contain manganese to help fight free-radical damage, and a good amount of folate, a B vitamin that repairs cell damage from the sun and toxins. Tread lightly with the Kalamata olives though; despite having some good-for-you fatty acids, they pack a salty punch.
When you think of healthy skin diets, the last thing that should come to mind is fast food. It's loaded with salt (known to aggravate acne and cause tissue swelling), bursting with greasy fat (increasing inflammation), and sneakily packs in tons of sugar (causing wrinkles and sagging). The havoc it wreaks on your skin is gross. Super size gross.
But -- and that's a big but if you're eating fast food on the regs -- we don't live in a perfect world where you always have the time, money, and willpower to drink organic spinach/wild salmon/sweet potato smoothies all day. Fast food is, well, fast -- one of the reasons why we love it. And if you're crazy busy with a million things on your metaphorical plate, then your dinner has likely, on occasion, come in a cardboard box with no real plate in sight.
So what, are we smoking crack and telling you all your excuses for eating fast food are fine and you shouldn't worry about the damage it could be doing to your skin, not to mention your overall health? Of course not. But we are telling you that if you have to, or want to eat fast food, at least make choices that are better for your skin than the rest (and don't worry, we didn�t just pick salads from every menu).
To help you navigate the fast food menu, we spoke to Jim White, R.D., a registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson, to find out which options to pick at some of your favorite fast food joints.
