:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7-day-meal-plan-v3-primary-9f8094b2142e4350bb89e14a7c3e9bd7.jpg)
Unsplash / Design by Dion Mills
It’s true—what you put in your body has a major effect on your complexion. It’s no wonder greasy pizza and sugar-heavy snacks wreak havoc on skin and cause breakouts: Where’s the health component in those types of foods? Additionally, eating foods heavy in toxins is a key offender in harming your skin.
Don’t get us wrong; we love snacking on junky foods during a Netflix binge just as much as the next person, but we understand we’re not doing ourselves any favors while doing so, especially when we wake up to a big breakout the next morning. As a result, we turned to Maria Bella to find out what to eat to stop acne and get glowing skin.
Meet the Expert
Maria Bella is the founder of Top Balance Nutrition in New York, NY. Her expert advice has been featured in Oprah Magazine and published The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Acid Reflux Diet in 2012.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/meal-plan-acne_final-ba24619e42b2441bab042bbc3a260fad.png)
Bella let us in on a few insider dietary tips for clear skin, the first (and most obvious) being hydration: She suggests having two to three liters of water every day and incorporating some detoxing green tea (the Ezisoul Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $20, is great for toting around both hot and cold beverages).
Next, Bella urges you to incorporate lean protein and fiber with every meal and snack, as well as reduce sugar and dairy intake—two food groups that are proven acne aggravators. Lastly, Bella suggests eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, E, and D to help clear your skin.
Keep scrolling for Bella’s seven-day clear-skin diet and kick acne to the curb.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__167__main.original.700x0c-f1e050c4df064c67a74310e803d4e683.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__173__main.original.700x0c-3f3fea11cc1849c3bff74b54ec85ea9f.jpg)
Egg White Omelet
Ingredients:
1 box liquid egg whites (about 10 egg whites)
1/2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup each chopped onions, mushrooms, spinach, and green peppers
Pinch of cayenne pepper to taste
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__183__main.original.700x0c-a2b24b65ff714401ab6c0a6dafacbb5a.jpg)
Autumn Soup
Ingredients:
2 cups dairy-free tomato, carrot ginger, or butternut squash soup (Amy’s Light in Sodium Organic Soups, $4, are great)
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__190__main.original.700x0c-8516b6a8104748f394e39f942869aaae.jpg)
Steak
For the steak, you can grill a 5-oz. tuna steak, tilapia, swordfish, salmon, halibut or cod
Cauliflower Mash
Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tbsp. Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__168__main.original.700x0c-30446ad1197f42a9a2ef43c3ecc8812f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__174__main.original.700x0c-9c0638d9397e4975af3008e06c76e9c9.jpg)
Pumpkin Parfait
Ingredients:
1 cup Greek yogurt [Ed. note: the probiotics fight against acne]
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1/2 banana
1 tbsp. flaxseed
1 tbsp. cinnamon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__189__main.original.700x0c-14c91f82e6144fca831a093ee2c2878a.jpg)
Mixed Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup spinach, chopped
1/4 avocado, chopped
1 small can of tuna (in water) or 1 hard-boiled egg
Shredded carrot
Shredded beet or any other non-starchy vegetable
Ingredients for Dressing:
Lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__191__main.original.700x0c-18d489fef8824eff9ea6d0fe57b568bf.jpg)
Spinach and Artichoke Pasta With Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 cup spiralized zucchini (try the Spiralizer 4-Blade Vegetable Spiral Slicer, $22)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 large shallot, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 10-oz. box of frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted and halved
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 cup dry white wine
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__169__main.original.700x0c-1ef472bbca2b4b58893c5809b94b8e4b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__175__main.original.700x0c-59d7568f24f04750ab3962606cc68522.jpg)
Goji Berry Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup raw spinach
1 cup raw kale
1 small apple
1 cup raspberries
2 tbsp. goji berries
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__184__main.original.700x0c-b20ce41e8f824a8ea7df8ea39c4cb8a6.jpg)
Herbed Lemon Salmon
Ingredients:
1 salmon fillet
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1//2 lemon cut into slices
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__192__main.original.700x0c-ff8816124fca40e39213c60fd85294f8.jpg)
Easy Tuna Bowl
Ingredients:
1 can of tuna in water, drained
1 cup broccoli
1 cup quinoa
2 tsp. olive oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__170__main.original.700x0c-658b15fe5ec743d4989e4838b9e0db09.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__176__main.original.700x0c-97a138f6a6824366994c9ef5092ab278.jpg)
Cantaloupe Bowl
Ingredients:
1/2 cantaloupe with seeds scooped
1 cup of unsweetened soy yogurt
1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 tsp. cinnamon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__185__main.original.700x0c-b50d4a388ead4a9c98e2247214cccc06.jpg)
Mixed Bean Salad
Ingredients:
1 can canned cannellini and kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup each of spring onions, parsley, bell peppers
1 tbsp. lemon juice or mustard
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 butter lettuce wraps
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__194__main.original.700x0c-f305f805539d49618565ace2ea58b572.jpg)
Seared Chicken With Avocado and Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 avocado, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 tbsp. lime juice
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__166__main.original.700x0c-3693a7b1e9924709aee9820dd9251e7b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__177__main.original.700x0c-e35d1fc651124789a94d328f9f55be03.jpg)
2 large boiled eggs
1 fruit of your choice
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__186__main.original.700x0c-def2efb465bb4147b7ba067342cce34e.jpg)
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup sliced tomatoes
1 chopped cucumber
1/4 sliced white onion
1 sliced green bell pepper
1 tsp. olive oil
Pinch of parsley
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__195__main.original.700x0c-4f7a4493e4b648bdbcf8bd23a488d081.jpg)
Burger
Ingredients:
1 ground beef patty, 100% veggie burger, or salmon burger
2 large leaves of iceberg lettuce (or enough to cover your burger)
Directions:
Heat the burger in a frying pan until cooked to your desired doneness. Remove from heat and wrap with iceberg lettuce.
Turnip Fries
Ingredients:
4 turnips, trimmed and peeled
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__171__main.original.700x0c-24cb45687582453287a817e4dd671774.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__178__main.original.700x0c-7f1a72bb514644dd8c40f26ec37c0194.jpg)
Mediterranean Breakfast
Ingredients
2 hard-boiled or poached eggs
1/2 avocado, diced
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup tomato, diced
Parsley to taste
Directions:
Cook the eggs either hard-boiled or poached and serve with avocado, cucumber, tomato, and parsley.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__187__main.original.700x0c-b36d4f8e28134505bbbd88cf3e66693e.jpg)
Tuna Salad Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
1 zucchini, halved and centers scooped out
2 cans of tuna in water
2 tbsp. hummus
1 cup each chopped carrot, celery, and white onion
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__196__main.original.700x0c-9301a7346f6a4fb1b1ca1b4d334b1011.jpg)
Spaghetti Squash With Chicken, Mushrooms, and Spinach
Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup white mushrooms
1 cup fresh spinach
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__172__main.original.700x0c-b08a3495d50b4e13b0da76d7806a601e.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__179__main.original.700x0c-b430f51a968c4a81b1dbcaeaa49cf05b.jpg)
Oats
Ingredients:
1 cup dry oatmeal
2 cups unsweetened soy or almond milk
1/2 cup berries
6 walnuts, halved
Pinch of cinnamon to taste
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__188__main.original.700x0c-39967a7c0a74447d95b844738915a599.jpg)
Simple Grilled Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups mixed greens
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Your choice of non-starchy vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.)
1 tbsp. lemon
2 tbsp. olive oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__193__main.original.700x0c-3d204b6056154419924bc41c5ca64015.jpg)
Baked Salmon and Asparagus
Ingredients:
4-oz. salmon fillet
1 roasted asparagus
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup quinoa
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cdn.cliqueinc.com__cache__posts__img__uploads__current__images__0__271__202__main.original.700x0c-61e2676520454702a190edfc934b5da9.jpg)
Bella recommends two snacks per day, one after breakfast and one before or after dinner. Here are some of her favorite choices:
- 6 oz. unsweetened soy yogurt or 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (or other fruit)
- 10 raw almonds and 2 dried apricots or whole fruit of choice
- 1 banana and 1 tbsp. peanut or almond butter
- Sliced banana rolled in unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 clementines and 1 hard-boiled egg
- Celery stalks topped with 1 tbsp. peanut butter + 10 raisins
- 1/2 cup carrots and cucumber with 1/4 cup hummus