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.
What's in it: All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, romaine, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, fresh pineapple, Mandarin oranges, pecans, and fat-free poppyseed dressing.
Why it's a good choice: Chicken is always a good option for lean protein, and along with the romaine and pecans, this salad gives you a whopping 29 grams of the muscle building must. The pecans also contain vitamin E, zinc and magnesium, which are essential ingredients for protecting skin cells from oxidative damage, says White. Lastly, all the fresh fruit is equivalent to a day's worth of your recommended dose of vitamin C (160 percent), helping to fight aging by ridding your body of harmful chemicals.
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Pasta: Noodles & Company Pasta Fresca
What's in it: Whole grain linguini with balsamic, olive oil, white wine, roasted garlic, red onion, tomato, spinach, and parmesan or feta
Why it's a good choice: A whole grain pasta is always going to be a better option than refined carbs, like regular pasta, which are known to aggravate acne. Whole grains are low on the glycemic scale and won't spike your blood sugar and cause breakouts. The tomatoes in this dish are the other star component to good skin, says White. They are chockfull of lycopene, a powerful anti-aging antioxidant.
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.
