Thanksgiving is a dairy, flour and sugar gorge-fest that could single-handedly turn you into a “pizza face” just in time for Christmas. What’s the best thing about Thanksgiving and holiday season in general? All the delicious comfort foods and time around the table with family, of course.
Unfortunately, the rich, sugary, and fattening holiday foods aren’t necessarily great for your diet or your skin. Good news is, there is an Acne-Friendly Thanksgiving alternative for almost all of your favorite dishes.
Since the holiday is right around the corner, we’re sharing some helpful tips on how to modify and keep your family’s favorite recipes on your Thanksgiving table.
How Holiday Eating Impacts Skin Health
The holidays are a prime time for overindulging in all of your favorite foods and drinks. As long as these treats are consumed in moderation on special occasions only, they shouldn’t have a profound impact on your skin or overall health. However, for many of us, the holidays can stretch out across several days or even weeks making the acne-safe options seem less & less important.
If you’re celebrating at multiple Thanksgivings, Christmases, Chanukahs, and New Years parties, you may start to see a negative impact on the skin. Some common holiday foods that adversely impact skin health can be some of your favorite holiday dishes.
Everybody’s Thanksgiving Favorites
Everyone knows that turkey is packed with L-tryptophan, the essential amino acid that your favorite uncle loves to blame for their post-meal sleepiness. (sorry for the myth-bust but turkey has less tryptophan than chicken, so you’re probably just tired).
However, turkey is also rich in zinc, which is one of the best things you can ingest in the name of skin health. Turkey has a high concentration of zinc which is great for maintaining collagen and elastin fibers, both of which help to maintain the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
Turkey is also rich in protein. Protein give structure to skin, hair, nails, and teeth, and forms collagen, providing firmness and suppleness to your skin.
Acne-Safe Mashed Potatoes
Too much butter offers some of the same drawbacks as fried turkey. High-fat foods can lead to breakouts. Worse, this high-carbohydrate holiday treat has a high glycemic index, further increasing the odds of blemishes.
Instead of russets, choose sweet potatoes for mashing. They’re high in vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. The high fiber aids digestion, and properly digested food has a lower incidence of breakouts. Serve with a bit of cinnamon mixed with a small amount of brown sugar to help reduce butter consumption.
Or you can try a dairy-free version. Here’s how to make the best acne-safe vegan mashed potatoes that everyone will love. Choose chicken broth instead of cream to give your potatoes flavor without pimples.
Acne-Safe Bread and Stuffing
Even gluten-free bread has a huge glycemic index, and stuffing is primarily made from bread soaked in water and fat. These are tasty parts to any holiday dinner. But they can leave you with dry, dull skin, wrinkles, and plenty of pimples.
Choosing low-carb bread options and using vegetable broth in your dressing rather than drippings can lessen the un-healthy factor. You’ll still need to rely on a bit of self-control and moderation to get through.
If you find yourself drawn to these starchy staples, make sure you are keeping up your skin care regimen to limit the damage.
Acne- Safe Pumpkin Pie
Ah, pumpkin pie. The perfect conclusion to any Thanksgiving meal — and as it turns out, the cherry on top of any holiday! Yes, there is sugar in this traditional desert, which can lead to inflammation. However, there’s also plenty of good stuff, too.
The orange color of pumpkins comes from plant pigments called, carotenoids. Carotenoids help neutralize free radical attack on in the skin. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, an antioxidant that supports the production and growth of new skin cells.
There’s a solution for you! Try this dairy-free coconut milk pumpkin pie. It’s creamy, perfectly sweet and loaded with cozy fall spices – a must-make Thanksgiving dessert.
Acne-Safe Cheesecake
What is better than a traditional cheesecake? Dare I say, vegan pumpkin cheesecake! Cheesecake has a reputation for being tricky to make, but here is a vegan pumpkin cheesecake recipe that is far from it.
This recipe is sure to make you nostalgic, combining the classic rich and delicious cheesecake, with everyone’s favorite pumpkin pie for a dessert that is sure to please. Now anyone can enjoy this dairy-free and easy vegan pumpkin cheesecake practically guilt-free.
A perfect treat for Thanksgiving or any of your cheesecake needs.
Holiday Drinks
Is it holiday spirit or holiday spirits? There are plenty of holiday libations up for offer at the holiday’s, but you’ll want to be careful. Too much alcohol can leave you dehydrated, damaging your skin. Egg nog, another holiday favorite, is packed with calories and often made with dairy, leading to increased oil production and blemishes. Here is a great dairy-free egg nog recipe.
While going easy on the alcohol is usually a good idea at family gatherings, the desire for healthier skin gives you another reason for moderation. Non-dairy eggnog is readily available if you have to have a glass, but a better choice is organic apple cider. It’s good hot or cold, provides plenty of moisture, and is naturally lower in sugar.
You Do You This Thanksgiving!
One of the easiest ways to lessen the consequences of holiday indulgence is to maintain your normal skincare routine. It can help your skin remain blemish-free even if your healthy skin diet slips a bit. Maintaining your daily beauty routine can provide the structure so many of us lose during the busy holiday season.
Thanksgiving is around the corner! As you gather recipes and begin preparing your grocery lists, steer clear of those dairy traps. Maintain healthy, glowing skin throughout the holidays with your consistent skincare routine.
Schedule your initial consultation today & let us help you begin your clear skin journey!
Cheers to clear!
Rene