Tuesday, April 14, 2009

For a clear complexion, discontinue eating
















A couple of days ago I had a zit on the inside of my nose. (How's that for a zinger opening line?) It was a distressing experience—not just because of the discomfort it brought to my entire nasal area, but also because of the paranoid complex I formed. I was convinced that everyone who saw me would thereafter peg me as the girl who should have blown her nose before going out in public.

The ordeal got me thinking about a few months back when I was given a stringent lesson on acne control—a lesson which I promptly disregarded due to its ridiculousness.  But who knows—maybe if I'd heeded the advice I wouldn't have had to deal with a zit up my nose.

A few weeks before Tom and I got married, my mom was kind enough to offer me a gift card to a spa so I could go get a facial and clear out my pimply face. My aesthetician—brimming with knowledge—quickly became set on getting to the bottom of my problematic face. After several other theories fizzled out, she finally settled on her answer: My problem revolved around the food that I was eating. At first I felt a little defensive since my post-college days have been adequately nutritious. But I soon realized that even Adelle Davis might have had a hard time following my aesthetician's proposed solution.

For the remaining time of our session, she listed all the foods that I should do away with. As I expected, she first gave the boot to our friend, the sugar cube. Any food containing so much as a granule of sugar simply had to go forever. Then she ousted salty foods.  And naturally, it was time to give a final farewell to carbs. And meat? Don't even think about it. Most dairies got the cut too. But she didn't stop there.  She followed by limiting my fruits.  She told me to end my relationship with bananas, grapes, and others. Tomatoes were on the black list as well (and all this time I thought I was doing a big favor for my heart). By the time our session was over, I'm pretty sure she had reduced my diet to spinach, lima beans and sifted grain.

I opted not to follow her regime too closely. I guess I can blame my recent issue on that banana I had for breakfast a while back.

4 comments:

SSToone said...

Funny! The food you eat does affect it, but usually allergens. I find mine is affected by excess dairy, corn, and also things like MSG BUT I have allergies. Acne is traumatizing as I had it all through my youth until I used Accutane my freshman year of college.

Mad Hadder said...

Or water.

Chemene said...

I've learned to live with acne, and after your post, I choose food. I think it has more to do with genetics, anyway. JK. I have found that the only time in my life that I won't have zits is when I'm 5 or so months pregnant until the end. 4 months every three years is the only relief I get. There are worse problems out there to have:)

April Garvin said...

Oh that is so great! I totally understand. I am now 24 and still feel like a 12 year old. Gotta love it!

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