Every once in a while I think we all feel the need to feed our inevitable compulsion to splurge. While the occasional binge is fair, it’s important to keep in mind what foods you should steer clear of for the good of your skin, body and mind.

1. Bagels. These often warm and soft bundles of starch are heavenly, but can be harmful to your body. Most bagels (unless baked fresh) are made with highly processed flour and are full of unnecessary additives and preservatives. They have a preposterously high glycemic index that leads to inflammation in the body, which is known to worsen acne and rosacea. Consider a slice of toast and avocado, or an English muffin with peanut butter instead for a protein packed breakfast.
2. Margarine. For a while margarine was considered healthier than butter because it is made from vegetable oils and has less cholesterol and saturated fat. In reality, margarine is high in sodium and contains heaps of trans fats that increase blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Try replacing saturated and trans fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for a better taste. Olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, is a much healthier option.
3. Frosting. I’m just as tempted by a platter of decked out cupcakes and a slice of three-tier cake as your average savage, but at what cost? When you see something containing any amount higher than 0g of trans fat, abort that mission. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol, lower good cholesterol, and cause inflammation leading to belly fat and diabetes. And that’s without mentioning how much sugar is packed in a tub of frosting. Did you know high-sugar diets contribute to premature wrinkles? I repeat, ABORT mission!
4. Microwaveable Popcorn. They tell you what side of the bag should be facing up when placing your bag of popcorn in the microwave. They tell you how many minutes it will take to cook. Often times, they even admit when their product was made with “artificial flavors” or “natural flavors” and slab it on the front of each bag. What they don’t tell you is what you’re actually eating. Most microwaveable popcorn bags are enclosed with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which has been known to affect fertility and risk of cancer. In addition, most brands add trans fats to their products, just incase you were wondering where those “artificial flavors” come from. For a healthier alternative, try the good old air popped method for your fiber fix.
5. Canned Tomatoes. Store bought canned tomatoes are loaded with sugar, and we all know too much of anything isn't good for you. But what store bought canned tomatoes (or any canned product in general) are sealed with is the real problem. Bisphenol-a (BPA) is a chemical used to coat the lining of canned products. Tomatoes, which are highly acidic, are exceptionally susceptible to leaching BPA because of their acidity. I think I’ll pass on Sunday sauce this week.
6. Maraschino Cherries. From slurping Shirley Temples when I was a kid to sipping Old Fashions as an adult, I never realized how frequently I consume maraschino cherries. Why is that a bad thing? Well, these fruits receive a makeover from hell long before you find them swimming in your mixed drinks. Here’s how it happens: they start with real cherries, then bleach them in calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow. Next they’re infused in huge vats of high fructose corn syrup and red dye to lie artificially atop your sundae. Yikes.
7. Processed Baked Goods. We’ve all had some sort of processed baked good, and probably enjoyed the deceiving taste before that inevitable stomachache that makes you regret every bite. That should be your first sign. Your body knows the good from the bad and has no problem reminding you when you step out of line. Processed baked goods are filled with a high sugar content and preservatives for a longer shelf-life. They can basically stay sitting on a shelf forever and still taste the same as when it was first packaged. Sugar-filled diets increase inflammation in the skin contributing, again, to acne and rosacea, and on top of that make you look stuffy and bloated. I think I’ll pass.
8. Bacon. Ah yes, the highly exalted food of choice in society. But I wonder if society knows how high in fat, sodium, and preservative sodium nitrate bacon is? One strip of bacon contains a mere 45 calories, but more than half of those calories are saturated fat – yuck.
9. All Soda. The average can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. Drinking soda frequently raises your blood sugar levels and causes an insulin reaction in the body, often times leading to diabetes. Soda also contains phosphoric acid, which interacts with stomach acid causing slower digestion and blockage of nutrient absorption. Diet soda replaces sugar with aspartame, an artificial sweetener, which has been linked to nearly 100 different health problems including seizures, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis. Not my cup of tea.
10. White Bread. Most hamburger and hot dog buns, French and Italian bread, and pizza crusts all begin as white bread, and none of them is good for you. White bread is made from refined grains, which are low in magnesium, zinc, and fiber (just to state a few). Because white bread is made from refined grains, it has a high glycemic index, which can lead, again, to diabetes. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya!