Baked Goods
“Baked goods and other sweets are often rich in added sugars and fat, which can lead to weight gain and poor dental health,” says Alexandra Miller, RDN, LDN, Corporate Dietitian at Medifast. “Sugar promotes an unhealthy microbiome and it is also pro-inflammatory. All of these characteristics can accelerate the aging process,” she elaborates.
High glycemic carbs
Pasta aficionados, you might want to start swirling zucchini strands on your fork. “Foods such as bagels, oatmeal, pretzels, pasta, and cereal, have been proven to accelerate the skin’s aging process and wreak havoc on the skin, causing acne and rosacea,” shares Dr. Taz. “Even the self-proclaimed ‘healthy’ cereals with whole grains, which are lower in glycemic index, can be stocked full of wrinkle-inducing glucose.”
Sugary Cocktails
“When simple sugar is consumed in excess, the sugar molecules combine with proteins in the body and form compounds that can damage the skin’s collagen. This, in turn, has an aging effect,” explains Bedwell. “These sweet drinks can have over 50 grams of added sugar in a single cocktail! Plus, the alcohol in the drinks can dehydrate you, making fine lines and wrinkles more apparent.”
Microwave Dinners
“Frozen meals are notoriously high in sodium. Sodium contributes to water retention and an overall ‘puffy,’ aged appearance,” shares Kayleen St. John, RD at Natural Gourmet Institute. Microwave foods should be avoided too
Fried Foods
Corn dogs, elephant ears, onion rings, deep-fried Snickers…it’s obvious why these not-real-food fair foods are terrible for you, but we’ll hone in on the deep-fried part: “When we deep fry foods, we expose the oil and fat to extremely high temperatures. When this happens, free radicals, the primary culprit in aging, are formed,” offers Hayim. “These foods not only cause damage to our waistlines but to our organs and insides as well.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are about as bad for your skinny jeans as they are for your skin cells. “Fats that have been artificially hydrogenated are some of the most inflammatory substances out there,” says St. John. “Trans fats may even make us more susceptible to UV damage to our skin.” Double yikes!
Potato Chips
“Consuming trans fatty acids stimulate interleukin 6 within the body,” explains Hayim. Inter-what? “Interleukin 6 is a marker of inflammation, which is associated with aging. In addition, fried and deep fried oils, even those made with made with vegetable oils, can impair cell respiration and reduce immune functions within the body.”