Diet is a really imperative tool for holistic skin healing. It’s not the whole pie but definitely a piece that has a very positive influence on skin and over all health resolution. Whether you have hormonal acne, rosacea, psoriasis or eczema/dermatitis there are foods that are likely to aggravate your symptoms. Of those foods there are a few common offenders and they often come up in sweet treats or comfort foods. This is a little guide of some replacement sweets and snacks that you can use as guilt free alternatives.
What to Avoid for your Skin Condition.
The big ones for hormonal acne are dairy and sugar. Sugar increases insulin which intern increases androgens, while the A1 protein in A1 cow dairy also increases androgens more directly. Androgens being that family of hormones inclusive of Testosterone, that are public enemy number one for hormonal breakouts. Rosacea and psoriasis being autoimmune conditions don’t generally like gluten and some times also dairy, this is in addition to more direct flushing triggers for rosacea, such as wine and chili. Eczema and dermatitis are often aggravated by gluten, dairy and eggs, however a functional allergy and sensitivity blood test through your naturopath or nutritionist will give you more in-depth insight into specific, personal food triggers.
Ice Cream
-Sugar and dairy free ice cream is available made by Fro Pro the Chocolate plant based ice cream is guilt free and can be found at Woolworths.
-ATP NoWay Frozen Dessert is a sugar free collagen protein ice cream, just a little harder to find, look for online stockists such as IGA’s and health food stores.
-Denada brand has a range of sugar free ice cream, there is a dairy free mango flavor, however those with sensitive tummies may not find this one sits well in more then small quantities. Stocked at Coles and some health food stores and IGA’s.
Chocolate
-Well Naturally Dark Chocolate options are sugar free and dairy free, if dairy isn’t an issue for you they also have milk chocolate, available at Coles and Woolworths.
-Carob Kitchen makes great sugar free dairy free (vegan version) carob bars and bears. Find them at health food stores and some IGA’s.
Snack Bars
-Locako Keto Collagen Brownie Bites in multiple flavors are a great sugar free protein bar to replace less clean snack bars, natural snack bars full of dried fruit sugar and muesli bars. Found in health food stores, Woolworths and online.
-Chief Collagen Bars are also really yummy sugar free snack bar replacements, they are on the dryer crumbly side, so feel like a shortbread with a cup of tea vibe. These ones are mostly through health food stores and online.
Cakes and Biscuits
-Noshu sugar free, dairy free, gluten free donuts that are really more of a cake, can be found in numerous flavors at Woolworths and some health food stores and IGA’s.
-Botanika Blends vegan protein cookies are delicious and not completely sugar free, however they average about 5g per large high protein cookie, which is pretty good all things considered. Find these at Coles, health food stores and some IGA’s.
Sugar Replacements for Baking and Beyond
There are a few sugar replacements that don’t have the fall out for hormones that regular sugars do. These are stevia, erythritol, xylitol and monk fruit. Stevia in it’s natural form is a good clean sweetener but tends to have a bit of an aftertaste for home use. If you have digestive issues inclusive of bloating and IBS type symptoms, then Xylitol might not be a good choice for you. Erythritol tends to be the best tolerated by tummies and taste buds alike. You can use the powdered form in the same measure as sugar to make sugar free desserts of all kinds. Just use erythritol in the same measure as sugar as a replacement, when the recipe calls for sugar. It’s good to remember all those healthy sweeteners like coconut nectar, dates, honey, maple syrup etc are still sugar, keep that in mind when baking as well as when you see that raw, vegan, wholefoods caramel slice at the organic café.