Foods to Avoid This Holiday Season

One of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the delicious food there is to eat. Although we don’t want you to deprive yourself of your favorites, it does pay to eat smart. After all, the food we eat is directly connected, not just to what size pants we’ll be wearing, but to our skin. So although you might be able to rationalize that slice of pie in exchange for a new gym membership in January, that pie can also mean a breakout of blemishes for the annual family Christmas photo. And that photo could be framed on the mantel for many years to come, so it’s best to know when to splurge and when to decline.

By far, the worst holiday splurge of all is Egg Nog. This creamy cup of deliciousness can spell disaster for your skin AND waistline. Sugar, milk and fat are a recipe for disaster when it comes to the skin. They increase oil production and therefore make your skin a perfect habitat for bacteria. If you must have your egg nog to truly feel in the holiday spirit, have a very small portion and keep the alcohol out of it.

Which brings us to a second holiday no-no. Alcohol. I know it’s difficult to deal with old Uncle Ernie without a drink your hand, but if possible, go easy on these tasty beverages. Alcohol is very dehydrating, and your body will respond by taking much needed water away from the skin, so you’ll likely end up with a dry and flaky complexion. It’s not the best look. If you must indulge, try going with clear spirits like vodka paired with a non-sugary mixer like soda water. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime for flavor.

Creamy Dips are dangerous. Don’t let the carrot you’re dipping into it fool you. These dips are generally bowls of mayo, cream cheese or sour cream. They can spell disaster for the skin. Instead set your radar on the shrimp cocktail and cocktail sauce or baked tortilla chips and salsa. These are much better options.

Beware of Casseroles and Creamed Vegetables. Yes, we understand that they are vegetables and potentially have a lot a great nutrients in them, but the term casserole or creamed should serve as a warning. Usually that means tons of cream, butter and salt, none of which are good for your skin. Get your dose of vegetables at the appetizer tray. Raw carrots, red peppers, broccoli and celery dipped in hummus is a better place to stock up on vegetables than those enveloped in lots of cream.

Potatoes are another tricky one. Like vegetables, make sure they are not stuffed with tons of cheese, bacon and sour cream. Stuffed potatoes can quickly go from healthy to not based on the toppings alone. Likely, there will be some sweet potatoes on the table as well. Stick to the these sweeter cousins as long as they are not overly candied. If they’ve got butter and marshmallow, then they can be just as bad. But a simple sweet potato with some cinnamon on it might be a delicious treat.

And last but not least, stay away from the Pie. It might look innocent enough filled with healthy fruit, but don’t be fooled. The crust is full of sugar, white flour, shortening and butter. And the fruit filling tastes great because it ‘s loaded with sugar. Pie is no friend to the skin. If you must indulge, seek out the pumpkin pie. The filling will have vitamin A and fiber in it, which is great for the skin. And if you can swing, it maybe leave the crust on the plate.

Now if you’ve got a bit of free time before your gatherings, and you think you might want to splurge a little bit, why not pre-game by scheduling yourself a facial. We’ve got just the thing to get you feeling your best so you can walk into your holiday parties feeling amazing. Schedule your appointment right here.