Marissa Parchman Discusses -Three Foods Sabotaging Your Health

As someone who’s spent years helping clients transform their skin, I’ve learned that what we put on our plates matters just as much—if not more—than what we put on our faces. Most people chase serums and treatments, hoping for a miracle, while overlooking the pantry that quietly drives collagen, elasticity, and inflammation. I see it all the time: breakouts, dullness, and eczema that won’t budge until we clean up what’s fueling the body from the inside.

My stance is simple. Remove processed sugar, hydrogenated and refined seed oils, and white processed flour. Replace them with whole-food alternatives your body actually recognizes. Skin is a detox organ—it mirrors the chaos created by blood sugar spikes, inflammatory fats, and bleached grains. When those inputs improve, acne flares ease, eczema calms, and texture often looks smoother because the internal stressors lighten. This isn’t about perfection or restriction. It’s about buying smarter, reading labels, and making swaps you can live with every day.

Let’s start with sugar. Processed sugar is the biggest saboteur of collagen quality. Through glycation, sugar binds to proteins and forms AGEs—advanced glycation end products—that stiffen collagen and reduce elasticity. That’s what makes skin look rougher and older. It also swings blood sugar and insulin, which can activate inflammatory pathways tied to acne and barrier breakdown. The fix isn’t zero sweetness—it’s better sweetness. I reach for whole fruit, local honey, dates in smoothies, and pure maple syrup used mindfully. These choices come with phytonutrients, minerals, and fiber that help moderate absorption. I always tell clients to watch for hidden sugars and vague label terms like cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and “natural flavors.” If the yogurt says added sugar, skip it. Build your own with plain yogurt, berries, and a drizzle of honey.

Next up: seed oils. These are the stealth disruptors most kitchens default to. Canola, soybean, corn, and some sunflower oils are often extracted with high heat and chemical solvents, leaving unstable fats that oxidize easily and skew our omega-6 to omega-3 balance. That imbalance sets the stage for systemic inflammation, which

shows up as clogged pores, redness, or slower healing. I recommend fats from the fruit of the plant—extra-virgin olive oil and avocado oil—or whole-food animal fats like grass-fed butter, ghee, and rendered duck fat. These are less processed, more heat stable, and easier for the body to use without collateral damage. Think in patterns: olive oil for daily cooking, avocado oil or ghee for high-heat searing, and occasional indulgences balanced by nutrient-dense meals.

White processed flour is another common trigger. It’s often bleached and chemically treated, stripped of fiber, and digested quickly—acting like sugar on the bloodstream. Rapid spikes can worsen oil production and inflammation, which is why many people notice breakouts after pastries or pizza. I encourage clients to seek flours that are unbleached, unbromated, and minimally processed. Heritage grains and stone-milled options keep more of the original grain intact. If you love bread and pasta, source from bakeries that use short ingredient lists and traditional methods. When the real thing sits in your pantry, you’re less likely to reach for ultra-processed convenience food that unravels your skin goals.

Sustainability is the quiet superpower behind these changes. Stock fruit for sweet cravings so you skip the gas station candy run. Keep dates for smoothies and energy bites. Cook with olive oil as your default, and reserve avocado oil or ghee for heat. If you bake, buy higher quality flour in bulk to reduce cost per pound and ensure your recipes work without chemical shortcuts. My label-reading rule is simple: if it says added sugar, refined seed oil, or long lists of “natural flavors,” it doesn’t go in the cart. Over time, your skin reflects steadier insulin, calmer inflammation, and stronger collagen. But here’s the bonus—your energy, digestion, and mood usually improve too. The outside glow follows the inside choices—one grocery decision at a time.