Glam and go: takeaway options that won't ruin your skin
Your face really does reveal your over-indulgences, according to skin pro, Nigma Talib, naturopath and author of Reverse The Signs of Ageing. Bad skin culprits include sugar, gluten, dairy and wine with the symptoms easy to spot, reveals Talib.
Dairy overload comes back to haunt in the form of swollen eyelids, breakouts on the chin, pale cheeks, undereye circles and even widespread acne. Gluten gluttony leads to breakouts, red, puffy cheeks and dark patches around the chin. Sugar side effects include a grey pasty hue to the complexion, puffy under-eyes, widespread acne and lines on the upper forehead. Wine ‘face’ features enlarged pores, droopy eyelids, dehydrated cheeks and a reddish skin tone. Ugh!
Recognise any symptoms? Talib advises cutting out the culprits for 28 days to give skin a reboot.
Feast instead on skin superfoods including oily fish such as fresh tuna, mackerel and salmon, which are loaded with inflammation-busting Omega-3’s, to keep skin supple and hydrated. Snack on high quality protein, to support skin’s collagen structure. Eat a rainbow of vegetable colours to benefit from the anti-oxidant-rich vitamin and minerals found in avocado, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers. Broccoli is also rich in zinc that prevents inflammation, a key cause of skin ageing. Plus, nuts, seeds and soy are all good sources of skin-necessary nutrients.
Here’s our pick of fast, tasty foods for a fresh skin start.
Chargrilled Chicken, Roast veg and Grains Salad, £3, Greggs
Pick from their Balanced Choice range that features Chargrilled Chicken, Roast veg and Grains salad, for a protein serving and veggie vitamin hit.
Kcal 235 Sugars 9.5g Protein 18grams
Squash, Sage & Kale Salad, £4.95, Leon
Go dairy and gluten-free with Leon’s new vegan salad featuring sage-roasted butternut squash on a shredded kale & green lentil base, topped with a sage & onion mayo (yup it’s vegan) and toasted pine nuts.
Kcal 525, Sugars 6g, Protein 10g
Chicken & Butternut Squash Hot Pot, £6.50, Pret
Pret’s new dairy and gluten-free hot pot also includes baby plum toms, rich in lycopene that helps protect skin from sun damage, plus gluten-free oats and black-eye peas. Or, for veggies there’s a Cauli & Sweet Potato Dhal Hot Pot, £6.25, alternative. Both come with fresh, flavour-boosting add-ons - lemon, seeds and spinach, to stir in.
Kcal 424, Sugars 6.9g, Protein 31.4g
Tomato & Basil Soup, £2.99, Costa Coffee
Go all out on tomatoes with this warming soup that ticks on both vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and include carotenoids, the plant proteins that give veg their red, orange and yellow colouring. They also work to boost the skin’s natural defense against sun damage.
Kcal 127, Sugars 10.7g, Protein 3.3g
Salmon and Avocado Rolls, Itsu
This scrummy salmon and avocado snack delivers an omega-3 boost for skin hydration. Avocado is a good source of vitamins C and E, necessary for collagen production to keep skin strong and firm. It’s also dairy-free and gluten-free if you skip the soy sauce. Kcal 338 Sugars 3.8g; Protein 12.3g
Nourish Bowl with Spiced Tofu, £4, Marks & Spencer
Packed with skin food wins, including red pepper, sesame and soy houmous; spiced tofu - a natural source of protein; edamame; lightly pickled carrot and cabbage slaw with rice and cauli couscous.
Kcal 305, Sugars 9g, Protein 14.6g
Ham Salad with avocado and cheese, Subway
Turn your 6-inch sub filling into a salad with unlimited veg choice – go for plenty of vitamin C rich avocado and tomato, with a smidgen of cheese. Fats help the body absorb vitamins and minerals.
Kcal 250, Sugars 7 g, Protein 15g
BBQ Vegan Wrap with Jackfruit and Slaw, £3.29, Starbucks
This menu newbie packs a punch thanks to bbq jackfruit and a carrot and sweetcorn slaw, with spinach in a whole-wheat, seeded wrap. If that doesn’t tickle your taste buds there’s also the new Chicken & Pesto Gluten-Free Panini, £4.49.
Kcal 286, Sugars 9.6 g, Protein 7.7g
