Posted by Alana Brager
Let’s face it, you are what you eat. And your body demands certain nutrients to maintain that healthy, youthful glow we all desire. However, too many of us are putting unhealthy foods into our bodies without really knowing the dirty details. While many are delicious and almost impossible to give up (saying no to a second glass of vino is a challenge!), each of these 10 foods/drinks has a hidden side of negative effects on your health. Here are the first five — be prepared to be surprised!
Alcohol
A drink here and there doesn’t seem harmful to your body in the moment, but overtime, alcohol consumption can lead to dry skin and wrinkles – we’re too young for that! Alcohol draws water from the body and dehydrates your skin, as well as reduces the vitamin A content within your body, ultimately leading to the appearance of fine lines and dead skin cells. Skipping the booze is the best way to keep your skin wrinkle and flake free.
Smart Balance: 1 drink a day. (Beer: 12 fluid ounces; Wine: 5 fluid ounces; Distilled Spirits (80 proof): 1.5 fluid ounces.)
Sugar
Women who regularly eat foods with high sugar content are at risk for dull skin and a more wrinkled complexion. Sugar produces a molecule that damages collagen and elastin, which are two fibers that keep skin firm. Foods with excess sugar include canned or packaged dried fruits, muffins, breakfast and oatmeal bars, instant cereal and fruit juice. Consuming sugar is also linked to excess belly fat and it’s also hidden in yogurtand salad dressings. So while it seems impossible to avoid, just check the labels of your fave foods for sugar content before dropping it in your shopping cart.
Smart Balance: 5 teaspoons (20 grams) of sugar per day.
Processed Foods
Plain and simple — processed foods aren’t healthy to eat. What are they exactly? Well, anything packaged that you find in the store, which have been altered from their natural state, such as potato chips, lunch meat, cookies, hot dogs, frozen dinners and canned vegetables. They are stripped of nutrients and antioxidants, both of which our bodies need. Antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage and eating processed food damages collagen and causes wrinkles. Put down the box and grab some fresh fruits and vegetables from your local farmer’s market.
Smart Balance: Avoid at all costs.
Saturated Fats
Foods that are high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, especially around the mid-section. Saturated fats originate from animal products such as dairy, eggs and meat, while some can be found in plant-based sources. Foods high in saturated fat should be avoided if you want to say goodbye to cellulite. Vegetable- and plant-based fats can be broken down by the body, but saturated fats from animal products cannot. The fat is stored under the skin, which is where cellulite forms, thus being a no-no for any woman who wants a dimple-free bottom.
Smart Balance: Less than 7 percent of total daily calories. (Based on a 2,000-calorie/day diet, you should consume less than 16 grams saturated fat.)
Milk
Several studies have shown that the natural growth hormones found in milk are stimulating acne. Most milk is derived from pregnant cows and researchers are finding that the hormones can trigger pimples on your pretty face. Bleh. If you’re acne prone, cut back on the milk and dairy products. These days, there are many alternatives fortified with calcium, vitamin D and even protein (hemp, almond, soy, rice).
Smart Balance: 1 serving/day of low-fat or fat-free milk.
In this second half of hidden secrets of your favorite foods, we reveal the shocking side-effects of soda (damn you, Diet Coke!), why you probably shouldn’t bring a turkey sandwich as your lunch, and much more.
Salt
Salt, salt, salt. So good, but oh-so-bad. It’s on our list because it causes our tissues to swell and enables water retention, which leads to puffiness and a cause of the belly bloat–nobody likes that! And iodized salt, in larger doses, has been linked to aggravate acne. Be sure you check the sodium content while grocery shopping, and if you’re buying canned vegetables or beans, drain and rinse before consuming, which helps reduce the amount of salt.
Smart Balance: No more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (about a teaspoon of table salt).
Soda
Daily consumption of sugary soft drinks can add one pound to your frame every four years. It may not seem like that much, but drinking soda is linked to obesity and can impair your overall physical health. Soda contains high-fructose corn syrup, which can lead to abnormal increases in body fat (especially in the stomach–a trouble spot for many women). Diet soda junkie? Join the club. But it turns out that consuming diet soft drinks, which contains aspartame, isn’t the better alternative. Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, affects the calcium formation of bones as well as breaks down the enamel of teeth. Next time you’re craving a sweet drink, opt for water flavored with different types of fruits or iced tea.
Smart Balance: Avoid.
Deli Meats
Deli meats are full of sodium (the culprit for water retention!) and lead to puffy skin. Recent studies have shown that the way deli meats are processed can also cause wrinkles. How? The chemicals within these meats may lead to inflammation and can affect the natural collagen in your skin. What to do instead? Ditch the deli and fire up the grill.
Smart Balance: Avoid, as one serving can account for 25 percent of your daily intake of sodium. Yikes.
Fried Foods
If you’re spending too much time eating greasy food, you’ve probably noticed the physical changes in your appearance. Fried and greasy foods are linked to acne, high-blood pressure and weight gain. Hot oil is high in calories and fat, plus the grease can lead to high cholesterol. Eating greasy and fried foods also means your body isn’t getting the nutrients that it needs to fight off free radical damage (a.k.a. skin aging). Swap the fried chicken for a lean grilled chicken breast and you’ll notice the changes internally and externally!
Smart Balance: Rare occasions are OK. Otherwise, avoid.
Trans Fats
Foods that are high in trans fats can cause belly fat due to their high calorie and fat content. Trans fats harden at room temperature and they include baked items, such as cookies, cakes, crackers, boxed cereals, canned and boxed foods. Trans fats may enhance flavor and texture to your food, but they are bad for your arteries and increase your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. And no one wants that!
Smart Balance: Less than 1 percent of total daily calories. (Based on a 2,000-calorie/day diet, that’s less than 2g trans fat.)
