Cellulite is a kind of fat tissue that outwardly gives the skin a lumpy or dimpled appearance. It afflicts mostly women, particularly around the buttocks and thighs. Many methods are used to fight cellulite, including the use of cellulite reduction cream, body wraps and massage as well as laser treatment.
But there is one safe and efficient way to reduce cellulite as well – eating the right foods to ease fats, toxins and fluid deposits under the skin.
Avoid Saturated Fats
When there is excessive fat in the diet, the body will naturally gain fat. Avoid fatty foods such as red meat and full cream dairy products. Opt for white meat and low-fat dairy alternatives instead. These foods are also lean protein foods that help build muscle and burn more calories than fat.
Additionally, include lots of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet as these acids also help burn body fat. Sources of EFAs are oily fish, nuts and avocados.
Avoid Simple Carbohydrates
Simple or refined carbohydrates such as white flour, bread and rice quickly increase the blood sugar level, which in turns leads to more fat being stored in the body. Substitute them with whole grain alternatives such as brown rice and wholemeal breads. Eat also plenty of raw, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Expel Toxins
The lymphatic system needs to be functioning properly to help the body flush out toxins, another major cause of cellulite. And antioxidants can be a big help here. So include lots of fruits packed with antioxidants such as fruits from the citrus family, kiwifruit, strawberries and raspberries. Iodine too has been found to be helpful in draining toxins. Iodine-rich foods include pears, nori and kelp.
Reduce Fluid Retention
Fluid retention often causes more cellulite. So getting rid of excessive fluid in the body is crucial as well to reduce cellulite. Certain foods such as celery, parsley and dandelion leaves have diuretic effects and can help drain excessive fluid. Also worthy of a mention here is potassium, which can help battle fluid retention. So go for potassium-rich foods like beans and pulses, prunes, bananas, dried apricots and pineapple too.
Cut Down on Salt and Sugar
When there is too much salt in the body, the body will try to dilute it by storing more water in body tissues. The results – fluid retention and unsightly cellulite. Sweet and sugary foods, like refined carbohydrates, cause the blood sugar level to go up, which in turn promotes fat storage in the body. It also causes more free radicals within the body, damaging healthy tissues such as collagen and elastin, which are crucial for healthy and smooth skin.
Drink Alcohol Moderately
Alcohol increases fat levels in the blood and cause the circulation to be sluggish. Worse, it also helps form lots of free radicals in the body, which can damage healthy skin cells. So cut down on alcohol intake as well.
In a nutshell, there are foods that reduce cellulite and there are foods that form cellulite. So eat more cellulite reducing foods such as complex carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, oily fish, whole grain foods, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. At the same time, also cut down fat, salt, sugar and alcohol intakes. There’s more good news, foods that help in reducing cellulite are also typically foods that are good for the general health. So there’s no reason not to eat more of these.
Those who find this article useful may also be interested to read about Non-invasive Anti-aging Treatments and Supplements for Skin.
Reference:
Marguerite Burnett. “Blitz that Cellulite” in Everyday magazine. Australia: Good Life Publications, Spring 2008.
Wei Yin Wong - I started my working life as a reporter at an English daily called The Sun in Malaysia 16 years ago, writing health-related articles. ...
