Almond Butter Turmeric Dressing

One of the many things I encourage my clients in The Clear Skin Solution to do is eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

The easiest way to do that is to toss together a salad and top it with a rainbow of veggies.

While it’s a great thing that they are eating more salads, what’s not a great thing is the dressing poured on top.

I understand why though. Store-bought salad dressings are convenient and tasty.

But if you’re trying to get rid of your acne, most of those salad dressings can be pretty unhealthy for you.

Why? Many store-bought dressings are loaded with refined and processed ingredients that promote inflammation in the body. It’s a super sneaky place they hide out.

And if you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you probably know by now that inflammation is at the core of acne. That’s why we focus on an anti-inflammatory diet throughout The Clear Skin Solution, and this homemade spiced citrus salad dressing is perfect to include on your anti-inflammatory menu.

What to Avoid in Store-Bought Dressings

Even though homemade salad dressing is the best option, I understand that it’s not always possible. So if you need to buy a dressing from the grocery store, there are some ingredients to watch out for.

1. Vegetable Oils

The most common unhealthy ingredients found in store-bought salad dressings are vegetable oils. They include canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. These oils contain an excessive amount of omega-6 fatty acids. It’s important to note that omega-6 fats are not bad in and of themselves. They become problematic when they are consumed in high amounts relative to omega-3. Studies show that too much omega-6 relative to omega-3 can lead to chronic inflammation and thus, contribute to acne.

Opt for avocado oil, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, or flax oil instead.

2. Flavour Enhancers

Disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are common flavour enhancers within salad dressings found in stores. These ingredients are inflammatory to the body and contribute to leaky gut, which triggers acne. Flavour enhancers tend to cause allergic reactions, including headaches and nausea.

3. Gums

This is used to keep all of the salad dressing ingredients mixed together. Examples of gums include guar, tragacanth, or xanthan gum. Similarly to flavour enhancers, gums can trigger allergic reactions such as headaches and digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea.

4. Preservatives

This ingredient is simply used to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. An example of a preservative found in salad dressings is calcium disodium EDTA, which can also prompt allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and skin rashes.

5. Sugar

This is the ingredient that makes store-bought salad dressings so addicting. Sugars like high fructose corn syrup are simply used to sweeten dressings and make them taste better. However, it’s not better for your health because high fructose corn syrup is linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer. Sugar can also contribute to leaky gut, promote body-wide inflammation, spike your blood sugar levels, and then result in acne.

Ideally, salad dressings should be low in salt and sugar, and free of additives, colours, GMO ingredients, preservatives, and refined oils.

Almond Butter Turmeric Dressing

Rather than the pro-inflammatory ingredients in most store-bought salad dressings, my Almond Butter Turmeric Dressing is filled with skin-loving spices that help reduce inflammation. Let’s go through the two star anti-inflammatory ingredients in this recipe.

Benefits of Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which combat the inflammation and oxidative stress that promotes acne.

Research also shows that ginger may support gut health because it can positively alter your gut microbiome and promote tissue repair along the gut lining. Its antimicrobial properties can reduce the population of bad gut bacteria and increase beneficial gut bacteria.

This is crucial for acne-sufferers because the health of your gut determines the health of your skin.

On top of those, ginger helps to relieve nausea, support digestion, and reduce muscle and joint pain.

Benefits of Turmeric

This spice is a strong antioxidant and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects thanks to its active compound, curcumin. This can help with acne as it reduces redness, soothes breakouts and brightens the skin.

Research also shows that it can block NF-kB. This is a molecule that goes into the nuclei of your cells and turns on genes connected to inflammation, and plays a role in many chronic diseases.

Turmeric can boost liver detoxification to help flush any toxins or pathogens from the body as well.

More KSW Salad Dressings

• Creamy Hemp Heart Caesar
• Maple Balsamic (on Strawberry Avocado Salad or Citrus Beet Salad)
• Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
• 5-Minute Dairy-Free Ranch

Almond Butter Turmeric Dressing

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Author: Katie Stewart Wellness

Ingredients

• ½ cup filtered water
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 garlic clove finely minced
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp ginger powder
• Sea salt to taste

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in mini food pro (or mason jar) and mix until well combined.
• Pour desired amount of dressing over salad.
• Save remaining dressing in the fridge for 7-10 days.