Do you find yourself relying on lots of concealers to cover up the dark, tired-looking under eyes, day in and day out? Or maybe you also feel tired, so a cup of coffee is always an arms’ length away? If so, you may be trying to cover up a more serious underlying issue. Increased pigmentation and loss of elasticity in the skin, especially around the eyes, is a normal part of aging, but Father Time isn’t always to blame.

What have you been eating and drinking lately? Or—more importantly—what haven’t you been eating and drinking lately? 

5 Foods that are making you look and feel tired

As children, most if not all of us were told to “eat your veggies!” Nutrient-and water-rich foods were meant to help us grow and stay healthy, but who knew they would also help us look and feel beautiful? It’s true. When we focus on the quality of food we put in our bodies, we start to see small—or even drastic—overall changes.

So, where do you start to evaluate the foods that may be making you feel tired? We’ve compiled a list of usual suspects—foods that may sneak into our daily meals, more often than we’d like to admit. And we’re also giving you the most beautifying alternatives!

Salt

The most popular culprit: Cheese.

The slices of ooey-gooey goodness we love adding to our sandwiches are actually the biggest sodium bomb in our day (not to mention the bread and deli meat that usually accompanies it). But don’t worry, you can still have your cheese and eat it too!

If cheese is something you love to eat on a daily basis, try Feta. This Mediterranean block of heaven is packed with a punch of flavor, which means a little goes a long way. Whether you sprinkle it on salads or put it in a pita, the dark circles under your eyes will begin to feta-way.

Artificial sweeteners

The most popular culprit: Diet sodas.

You might think that you'll be cutting calories and steering clear of sugar by opting for the diet or sugar-free version of your favorite drinks and foods. You're only strengthening the future pangs of your sweet tooth, and consuming processed sugar promotes inflammation in the body, such as pain and swelling.

If you think you’re looking puffy and feeling tired, start choosing foods and drinks with more natural sweeteners. Naturally flavored, unsweetened, sparkling water is a huge staff favorite over here at Simple Beauty!

Fried food

The most popular culprit: French fries.

If there was ever a food equivalent to Kryptonite, it’s a delicious crispy basket of golden french fries—perfectly paired with a dollop of sweet and tangy ketchup. Can you tell it’s a favorite?

Superwomen, unite. A healthy and beautifying alternative to the fry basket is the oven sheet.

Cut potatoes (we swoon for sweet potatoes) into french fries or wedges and toss them in your favorite seasonings, with a sprinkling of kosher salt. Place them on a lined baking sheet and crank the oven up to 450℉. Bake them till they are golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.

Alcohol

The most popular culprit: Beer and wine.

We know what you’re thinking, “Okay, I’ll bake my fries, but there’s no replacement for my glass of wine.”  And you’re right, so we’re not even going to suggest an alternative.

What you can do is try to limit to one glass with dinner. One too many will dry out every last bit of natural glow and moisture that your skin may have had. 

If you know you’ll be indulging in more than one, try alternating your glasses of wine or beer with a full glass of water in between to avoid total dehydration. Cheers!

Processed carbs

The most popular culprit: Pizza

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s dry and puffy skin!

Delicious? Yes! Your slice is the perfect storm of dark, puffy, tired-looking under eyes, especially if it's store-bought or delivery. Not only that, but it also causes bloating and intestinal discomfort, which will have you feeling less than. 

Trying your hand at homemade pizza can help control the quality and quantity of ingredients.

Cauliflower crust is all the rage right now, and we understand why! This delicious, gluten-free crust cuts the sodium and processed carbs out. It may sound boring, but with crispy edges and topped with a vibrant tomato sauce plus your favorite healthy toppings, you won’t be craving that energy-draining, beauty-robbing dough as often. 

Beauty from inside and out, it’s simple

Remember, beauty starts within, so keeping an eye on what you nourish your busy with will go a long way in making sure you get the rest your eyes need to keep the puffiness at bay and the glow your skin wants to stay hydrated. 

While you're working on changing your routine, the Simple Beauty Trio can help add long-lasting hydration while also reducing the visible signs of aging like puffiness and fine lines. The Daily Purifying Cleanser will refreshen your skin, keeping it hydrated and protected. The Fine Line Eye Serum will increase circulation under your eyes to restore its elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and puffiness. And the Age-Defying Retinol Moisturizer will lock in the moisture while stimulating collagen production to give your face a more soft, youthful-looking appearance. 

To put it simply

We love every one of the alternatives we mentioned above. Of course, nothing should be completely off-limits as long as it follows a choice made with balance and intention in mind. 

There is no right or wrong approach to healthy living, but the best way to look at it is that you’re in for the long haul. If you’re looking to maintain skin’s youthful elasticity and glow, what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in it. As for tonight, we’ll be eating feta sweet potato fries and drinking a glass of our favorite ale. Goodbye eye bags, because I’ve got eye serum for the in-betweens.