Have you ever heard the old saying ‘you are what you eat?’ While this proverbial saying may not be literal, there is a lot of truth behind it. The foods you eat can play a huge role in not only how you look but how you feel.
If having a glowing complexion and fitting into your wedding dress without any bloating or discomfort is important to you, then eating well is key. Even more important, however, is knowing which foods to skip altogether.
To help you look and feel your best, read on to learn the 11 foods to avoid before your wedding day.
The Top Beverages and Foods to Avoid Before Your Wedding
We get it, planning a wedding can be stressful and when you’re stressed you may be tempted to drink more than usual or snack on some less than healthy items. Doing so may satisfy your immediate need for gratification but, ultimately, it won’t help you out in the long run.
To truly look and feel your best, these are the 11 foods and beverages to avoid eating and drinking before your wedding:
1. Salty foods
A bag of your favorite pretzels or crackers may satisfy your carb craving, but too much of a salty thing won’t bode well for how you look on your big day. Not only does salt cause your body to retain water, leaving you feeling bloated, it can make your face puffy and can cause breakouts.
Foods high in sodium can even cause sluggishness and headaches when eaten to excess. To avoid any of these unpleasant side effects, brides-to-be should aim to consume less than 2,000 mg per day in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding.
2. Alcohol
While that second glass of wine or fruity cocktail may be a temptation, especially at events like your bridal shower or bachelorette party, drinking can definitely impact your appearance — and not for the better.
Alcohol dilates the blood vessels which can lead to red, rough-looking skin. Alcoholic beverages are also very dehydrating. Not only can that make you feel tired, but it can cause puffy, dry and dull skin.
Rather than risk any of these unpleasant side effects, try to avoid alcohol as much as possible in the three months prior to your wedding. If you do drink, limit yourself to one serving.
3. Caffeine
Caffeine may get you up and going in the morning or provide a much-needed boost of energy when you’re feeling drained, but it’s not doing your skin any favors. In fact, this popular stimulant is dehydrating and can cause dry skin and dark circles around your eyes.
If you’re a habitual coffee drinker or a Coke or Red Bull addict, the months before your wedding are the time to nip these less than stellar nutritional choices in the bud. Start cutting back slowly over time — this eliminates withdrawals — and replace these drinks with water or herbal tea which, by the way, are great for your skin.
If you can’t live without coffee, limit yourself to one cup a day and opt for a natural sweetener like Stevia if you typically use sugar.
4. Processed foods
Processed foods are almost always full of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. This is a triple whammy for your digestive system and can cause constipation and gut inflammation. It can also lead to bloating, gas, lethargy and acne — none of which you want on your wedding day.
What qualifies as processed food? Chips, candy, sugary cereals and frozen meals such as pizza, fries and chicken nuggets to name a few.
By avoiding such foods as much as possible in the weeks leading up to your wedding, and focusing instead on healthy, high-fiber foods, you’ll not only look better, you’ll feel great too.
5. Sugar
While the occasional cookie isn’t going to hurt you, consuming too much sugar in the weeks leading up to your wedding is a bad idea.
Research has shown that sugar causes inflammation in the body, both inside and out. This can cause you to feel sore and tired and can even negatively affect your mood. It can also lead to dull skin and breakouts.
While we all know that cake and cookies are loaded with sugar, it’s easy to forget how much processed sugar is also in “healthy” foods such as granola, cereal, yogurt and protein bars. Before chowing down on any of these items, be sure to check the sugar content listed on the item’s nutrition facts.
6. Carbonated beverages
Avoiding sugar means avoiding soda, but what about diet soda or sparkling water? While not all carbonated drinks are bad for you, you should definitely avoid all bubbly beverages in the days right before your wedding.
The bubbles in carbonated beverages like soda, sparkling drinks and champagne release carbon dioxide into your system that can make you feel bloated and gassy — something no bride wants to be on her big day.
7. Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohol
Just like carbonated beverages, many sugar-free foods can also cause digestive upset.
Foods containing sugar alcohols and artificial sugar substitutes aren’t digested the same way that sugar is and, as a result, they can’t be fully absorbed by the body as they pass through the digestive system. Indigestion, gas, bloating and diarrhea are all possible side effects.
To avoid these digestive issues, it’s wise to pass on these types of sweeteners for at least three days before the wedding.
8. Spicy food
As delicious as spicy food can be, it’s best to avoid it for at least a day or two before your wedding. Not only can eating spicy delicacies result in acid reflux or heartburn, it can also cause bad breath. And, as bad as having either of the first two symptoms would be, it would be even worse to have halitosis for your first kiss as a married couple.
9. Legumes and cruciferous vegetables
While cruciferous veggies are an extremely important part of a healthy diet, they are best avoided in the last few days before your wedding. Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and bok choy are higher in sulfur than other vegetables and can cause bloating and gas, especially if you don’t eat them regularly.
Eating a lot of raw vegetables can also have that effect. To lessen your chances of gas and bloating, try cooking your veggies before consuming them. This helps break down the gas-inducing properties of the food.
10. Refined carbs
White bread, pasta, crackers, and potato chips all have one thing in common. An unhealthy amount of carbs.
Many carb-heavy foods have been stripped of almost all of their natural fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are not only empty calories, they are also digested quickly, and can cause food cravings. Other possible side effects of too many refined carbs include constipation, water retention, inflammation and increased anxiety. It can even exacerbate acne.
Rather than reaching for white flour products, opt instead for whole grains such as buckwheat, rice, quinoa and millet to increase digestibility and reduce bloating.
11. Gum
Every bride wants to have fresh breath for her wedding, but gum isn’t the best way to accomplish that. Air is swallowed when you chew gum, and this can cause both gas and bloating. Instead, opt for a no-sugar mint so you’ll be kiss-ready.
Does Your Diet Really Affect Your Skin?
In a word? Yes. What you eat can have a huge impact on the overall appearance of your skin. Whether you’re dealing with acne or fine lines, the right diet really can make a big difference, especially when combined with proper skin care.
If your nutrition is lacking in any way, your skin won’t receive the vitamins and minerals it needs to be hydrated, firm and youthful-looking. In fact, an unhealthy diet can lead to inflammation, redness, puffiness, acne and early signs of aging such as fine lines and sagging.
While genetics certainly do play a role in your skin’s appearance, filling your body with healthy and nutritious foods can definitely help brides-to-be who are less than satisfied with their complexions. While results vary from person-to-person, health experts agree that your diet can play a key role in your skin’s appearance.
