So you've decided to tackle your cellulite full force and embark on finding the perfect cellulite diet. A cellulite diet focuses on eating foods that cleanse your cells of the following causes of cellulite: excess fat, fluids and toxins. Reducing these causes with a diet will not only improve your skin's appearance but your overall well-being. (Not to mention giving your self-esteem a boost in the right direction.) So join me to learn the 5 Cellulite Diet Rules for successful results.
Cellulite Diet: Rule #1 - Avoid Foods High in Saturated Fats
To prevent storage of excess fat in cellulite areas, limit intake of foods high in saturated fats from your diet. Saturated fats are hard to burn off and directly stored in fat cells. Foods to stay away from when on a cellulite diet are animal fats such as cheese, butter, cream and ghee; tallow, suet, lard, and fatty meats. Vegetable products such as palm kernel oil, chocolate, coconut oil and many processed foods also contain high amounts of saturated fats.
Opt for polyunsaturated fats in your diet instead. These foods include various seeds, nuts, fish, seafood, leafy greens, algae and krill. For the cellulite diet, substitute fish and white meat for red meat. For this diet, use whole and organic food sources, as processing and heating may damage polyunsaturated fats.
Cellulite Diet: Rule #2 - Avoid Simple Sugars
Simple sugars to watch out for during the cellulite diet include: glucose (found in junk foods) and galactose (found in dairy products). Excess sugar in your bloodstream means more insulin is needed to balance things out, which will eventually lead to increased body fat.
Glucose is found in junk foods such as cakes, cookies, candies and ice cream. These foods usually contain white table sugar, the simplest form of simple sugar. These foods have no vitamin or mineral content, and are usually high in calories and fat. Eliminate these foods from your diet for faster results.
Galactose is another simple sugar, (found in milk products) to avoid on the cellulite diet. Galactose helps make up the milk sugar lactose, which also consists of glucose. During digestion, lactose breaks down into galactose and glucose. Glucose is then used as an energy source by your body, but galactose is harder for your body to break down and eventually gets stored as fat. For the cellulite diet, substitute dairy products with non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond or rice milks.
Cellulite Diet: Rule #3 - Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Detoxify your cells with a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods. These foods fight free-radicals that cause damage to healthy cells. Antioxidant-rich foods for the cellulite diet include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods will not only help control your cellulite but have also been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Examples of food high in antioxidants are foods:
- High in Vitamin C - Citrus fruits, berries, dark green vegetables (spinach, asparagus, green peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli, watercress,etc), red & yellow peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, cantaloupe, mangos, papaya & guava are all proper cellulite diet foods.
- High in Vitamin E - Vegetable oils such as olive, soybean, corn, cottonseed and safflower, nuts, seeds, whole grains, wheat, wheat germ, brown rice, oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas) & dark leafy green vegetables can all be used in the cellulite diet.
- High in Beta Carotene - Variety of dark orange, red, yellow & green vegetables & fruits such as broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, red & yellow peppers, cantaloupe, apricots and mangos all can be used in the cellulite diet.
Cellulite Diet: Rule #4 - Increase Water, Decrease Salt
Flush away toxins and prevent excess fluid retention during your cellulite diet by drinking lots of water and staying away from salty foods. Salt in your diet directly causes water retention which contributes to cellulite formation. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water a day on the diet, (more if you exercise) to keep your body properly hydrated.
Cellulite Diet: Rule #5 - Avoid Toxic Substances
Do not underestimate the importance of this last cellulite diet rule. Stay away from drugs and cigarette smoking on this diet. These are all toxic and cause permanent damage to your cells. Keep alcoholic and caffeinated beverages to a minimum when on the cellulite diet to prevent excess fluid/water retention. These substances have no nutritional value, directly contribute to cellulite and are not good for your diet or your health.
Now that you know how the cellulite diet works, you can start eating your way to less dimples, and firmer, tighter skin. Supplement your cellulite diet with regular cellulite exercises and the best cellulite creams for even faster results.
