8 Foods That Cause Puffy Eyes

1. Fast Food

Even if you don’t add any extra salt, your lunch could contain nearly 2,000 milligrams of sodium—more than the total amount you should be eating in a full day. To counteract the high sodium levels, your body will retain water, making your whole body puffy.

2. Tomatoes

This fruit (yep) belongs to the nightshade family and contains solanine, which may cause inflammation and puffiness. It’s not scientifically proven, but patients with inflammatory diseases, like arthritis, have seen benefits after eliminating it.

3. Eggplant

Another nightshade veggie that contains solanine. It’s not scientifically proven to cause puffy eyes, but if you notice a difference after cutting it out of your diet for three weeks, it could be the cause.

4. Canned Foods

If the black beans and chickpeas in your dinner came from a can, they’re not as healthy as they seem. Rinse them well before cooking them to prevent any excess sodium from creeping in.

5. Wheat Bread

If you’re gluten intolerant or allergic to wheat, eating bread (and pasta, while we’re on the subject) could cause you to wake up feeling bloated and puffy. Swap it with lettuce wraps for a few weeks and see if your under-eyes de-puff.

6. Dairy

Milk, cheese and yogurt are also inflammatory foods and can cause swelling, especially if you’re allergic to it. Go easy on the dairy and the puffiness under your eyes may subside.

7. Hot Peppers

Not only are peppers like jalapeños, chiles and habaneros members of the nightshade family; they also contain capsaicin, a compound that causes your body tissue to burn and become inflamed. That includes—you guessed it—the area around your eyes.

8. Sugar

Cake and cookies are delicious, but white sugar is one of the most inflammatory foods you can eat. Start swapping out dessert for fruit and you might wake up looking totally refreshed—no cucumbers necessary.

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