With summer literally around the corner I thought I would re post about cellulite: every girl’s worst nightmare. I may be naturally slim but I too have fallen victim to the orange peel in the past. Over the years I have discovered that the most effective way to combat cellulite is through exercise and diet. Cellulite is fat found beneath the skin caused by an accumulation of toxins and water retention in the body which weaken the connective tissue found below the surface of the skin. This is why cellulite has that bumpy texture.
What causes cellulite
The main causes of cellulite are a poor diet, hormonal changes, not drinking enough water, having a sluggish liver which equals a slow metabolism, fad diets, being over weight and a sedentary life style.
Foods you should avoid
You should avoid all food that place a stress on the liver and the lymphatic system. If you are overloading your liver and the lymphatic system gets clogged up, then you are not allowing the body to remove toxins. I always say that if you look after your internal organs you will glow on the outside. Avoid all fried foods, all foods cooked in rich sauces. Sugar is the big poison so stay away from it as well as refined white carbohydrates like white pasta and bread, all sweets, biscuits, pies and all ready made meals. Cook everything fresh. Avoid all salt from pre-packaged meals. Salt and sugar is added to almost everything nowadays which is why it is so important to prepare your own meals. Avoid sodium based salts. Too much salt results in water retention. I have experienced this personally myself. If I eat too much salt I suffer from terrible water retention. In the past I noticed a huge difference just by avoiding sodium based salt and having a very small amount of himalayan or nori flakes instead.
Alcohol is a big no no! It is so bad for the liver and the amount of alcohol consumed by women today is rather alarming. If only they knew what a strain they place on their poor liver which already has to deal with all the toxins from a poor diet. Avoid drinking too much coffee.
Foods to include in your diet
Include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your diet and fiber so that toxins are able to be eliminated quickly rather than stored in the body. Good foods are lentils, beans, chick peas, tofu, and brown rice. Include plenty of organic seeds and nuts in your diet. Good sources are: chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower, pumpkin sesame and linseeds, almonds, Brazil nuts, selenium nuts and walnuts. Include essential fatty acids in your diet like wild salmon, avocado and flax seed oil.
Eat everything steamed or oven baked. Half of your plate should always be just greens. Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins. Drink more green tea and herbal teas.
Supplements
The most effective remedy I have found for cellulite and I have tried quite a few, is Cantella Asiatica also known as gotu kola. Take 500mg three times a day for 3 months.
I would also recommend a good quality multi mineral suitable for your gender and age and vitamin C.
Other useful advice
To tackle cellulite alongside a healthy diet you also have to increase circulation and lymph drainage. Lymphatic massage is fantastic for cellulite and removing toxins from the body. If you cannot afford a massage every week skin brushing before jumping in the shower is also very effective. Get a skin brush and start from your feet moving upwards towards your heart massaging your body in circular movements. Very effective.
Exercise is also great for stimulating circulation. Brisk walking, stretching and yoga are good. Swimming especially breast stroke is very good for the lymphatic system.
Hope you find this advice useful and remember to be patient. We are all different and depending on your age and how much cellulite you have will determine how quickly it will disappear.
I also do bespoke nutritional plans and mainly deal with weight loss so feel free to email me for an consultation.