Have you ever noticed your acne condition worsening after consuming peanut butter? It’s not all in your head. Peanuts cause pimples! Nuts are considered to be rich sources of healthy fats, Vitamin E, and antioxidants. While these are good for the skin, there’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to peanuts.
Why are peanuts bad for acne prone skin?
Peanut butter has inflammatory properties. Which unfortunately increases the risk of acne. It triggers breakouts through inflammation, excess secretion of acne-causing hormones, leaky gut syndrome, digestive issues and even insulin-driven hormonal acne.
Alternatives to Peanut Butter
Peanuts are high in androgens. Androgens are male hormones that trigger increased oil production in the skin. Oil, though not the cause of acne, is an acne contributor and can make acne worse. We have found a direct correlation between peanuts and cystic pimples. Avoid peanuts, peanut butter and peanut oil if you have acne.
But just because you have to ditch the peanut butter, it doesn’t mean you have to give up all nut butters.
Here are a few equally tasty alternatives that won’t break you out.
Almond Butter vs Peanut Butter
Yet, it’s also a bit more nutritious and boasts a healthy dose of vitamin E. “Nut to nut, almonds have a higher antioxidant content [than peanuts], so they’re going to be more nutrient-dense,” says Gradney. “It’s going to boil down to flavor preference. I personally believe in functional foods, so I believe if you’re going to eat, choose the food that’s going to give you the most benefit nutritionally. I also love raw almond butter, which is rich in Vitamin E and protein and contains more fiber and less saturated fat than peanut butter.
Cashew Butter
With an ultra-smooth, creamy texture, cashew butter is high in copper, magnesium, and phosphorus, and the best nut butter to have on the keto diet, according to dietitians.
Macadamia Butter
Overall, your best bet for replacing peanuts and peanut butter with an acne-friendly alternative is macadamia nuts and homemade macadamia butter.
Sunflower Butter
Try using sunflower butter, which tastes almost exactly like peanut butter, and is made from roasted sunflower seeds that actually clear acne due to their Vitamin E content.
Pecan Butter
If you want to really treat yourself to a luxurious nut butter, try this one on for size.
It has 3 ingredients – pecans, dates, and pink Himalayan salt. THAT’S IT! Whether on waffles or with a spoon, Date Pecan gives you the taste of fall and Thanksgiving year-round. You won’t even remember peanuts causing your pimples after you have this!
Choose Oils Carefully to Avoid Grease Acne!
When it comes to greasy fried foods, there are tons of oil options available to use that won’t cause acne. But here’s where the rubber meets the road for acne sufferers.
Peanut oil, canola oil and soybean oil are huge acne triggers!
For instance, fried chicken lovers beware…
And almost every fried chicken joint we reviewed (from Popeye’s to Chic-fil-a to Raising Kanes) uses one of them in their grease friars.
If you are making homemade fried chicken, choose high smoke point oils like olive or coconut for deep frying and avocado for shallow frying. Oils with high smoke points may be more stable and more healthful to cook with than those with low smoke points.
Now, you don’t have to give up your fries or donuts or chicken popcorn! What you can do is move to a healthier alternative. What do we recommend for oils? Avocado oil, coconut oil and olive oils are safe for acne-prone clients.
Greasy food, dripping in cheese, is an obvious no brainer– no bueno if you have acne. But if you were to substitute goat cheese or sheep milk cheese, you could eat all of it you want.
It really all comes down to the type of oil or cheese that’s being used to produce the detectibly delicious but pore clogging foods.
The Takeaway
You can still enjoy your favorite sweet treat, just make a better choice with a skin-healthy nut butter. If you are struggling with acne caused by food sensitivities, schedule your initial consultation today & let us help you get started on your clear skin journey.
Cheers to clear!
Rene