Common Acne Triggering Foods

By Britt Hensel

chilis

Diet and acne go hand in hand. If you are dealing with acne, monitoring your diet is a really important and effective way to reduce blemishes and cut down on breakouts. There are certain foods that have been proven to cause acne and flare ups more so than others. If you are looking for some relief from acne, cutting these foods out could just be your answer. Remember, we are all different so some of these foods could impact some more than others.


  • Spicy Foods -  Many blame spicy foods for serious breakouts. There have been studies that have shown spicy foods like chilies and spice-filled dishes to fluctuate hormone levels significantly, which in turn can cause acne. Another common factor in breakouts due to spicy food is family history and genetic makeup. If you suspect that spicy foods have given you breakouts try these foods out of your diet  for a month or so and see if it makes a difference.
  • Dairy -  Certain foods like dairy trigger the body to make a burst of insulin which helps the body absorb sugar which in turn causes major breakouts. Whether you are allergic to dairy or not, cutting cheese, yogurts, and milk out of your diet for a while could be a serious benefit.
  • Nuts - Even though nuts are not often pointed out to be an acne triggering food, they are for many people. Nuts have been shown to increase the body’s glycemic levels which can contribute to acne breakouts.

  • When going about food elimination, it is crucial that you give your body enough time without that particular food. A full month is a good measure of time when it comes to cutting certain foods out of your diet. If you suspect that a particular food is triggering breakouts, try letting it go for a month. Often times getting rid of a certain food that is causing acne is also slowing the body down. You may feel like you have more energy and feel healthier as a result. Do not forget that patience is important to embrace here. Do not give in if you truly want to see the best results possible. Another great tip is to drink plenty of water during the process. Water will keep your system cleansed and moving. More time than not you will find that you have an intolerance to whatever is causing your acne. Once you identify the culprit, you can live a life with less blemishes.

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