the Daily Glow Wisdom

Feed Your Face: How to Eat When You're Eating Out

Eating the right foods for your skin can be tough when you're dining out. Get tips on how to make healthy, skin-friendly choices at a restaurant.

By Dr. Jessica Wu

In recent weeks, I’ve talked about the importance of eating well to keep your skin looking young and fresh. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to spend all day in the kitchen. Sometimes it can be a real pleasure to share a restaurant meal with friends and family — you avoid the stress of shopping, preparing foods, and cleaning up. Whether you’re hitting the drive-through, picking something up on the way home, or splurging on a night out at a special restaurant, here’s how you can make healthier choices for smoother skin and a tighter body when you’re eating out:

*Watch your portions: Restaurant portions tend to be large, so you may be getting more salt (which worsens under-eye bags and bloating), sugar (which breaks down collagen), and dairy (which has been linked to acne) than you realize. Ask your server to put half your meal in a take-out container, or split an entree with a friend.

*Choose foods in their natural state: The more processed your meal, the more hidden sugar, salt, and dairy it contains — plus, the fewer nutrients it’s likely to have. Here’s the test: Could you hunt it? Could you gather it? (And no, popcorn shrimp and chicken fingers don’t count.)

*Beware of condiments: Dressings and sauces tend to be loaded with butter, cream, salt, and sugar. Many of them also contain ingredients, such as spices and vinegar, that can aggravate skin conditions like rosacea, so ask for dressings on the side and dip your food into them. You'll get the flavor without irritating your skin, and you'll save on calories.