Cellulite--pockets of dimpled fat--can affect women of all sizes, and is sometimes called "thin woman's fat." Lowering the amount of fat in your body and consuming healthy foods may help to reduce the amount and appearance of cellulite. "Including specific foods that hydrate skin, build collagen and prevent fat storage in your healthy diet may help keep cellulite at bay," notes Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman in Sarasota, Florida. Before embarking on any dietary regimen, you should first check with your doctor.
Proper Hydration
Drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated. According to Self, a thicker, plumper and properly hydrated skin layer helps to cover and conceal fat cells underneath. "Any time the skin is well hydrated, it will look suppler and healthier," asserts Lona Sandon, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association in Dallas. Women's Health Care Topics notes that drinking generous amounts of water can help flush the body and clear toxins. If you have a hard time drinking this much water, try to consume foods that contain large amounts of water, such as apples, grapes, and cucumbers; they can help you reach your daily goal.
Foods WIth Vitamin C
Foods high in vitamin C are indispensable allies in your fight against cellulite. According to Self, this antioxidant vitamin can prevent collagen breakdown. When collagen strands weaken, skin loses elasticity and fat can press against the skin, making it easier to see bumps and bulges underneath. Vitamin C, linked to collagen synthesis, can be found in a wide range of colorful fruits. Women's Health Care Topics suggests blueberries, blackberries, mangoes, oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, tomatoes, and bell peppers for cleansing your body and eliminating stored toxins. Other foods that contain beneficial phytochemicals, fiber and minerals are spinach, carrots and fennel. .
Healthy Whole Grains
Eat healthy whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal and popcorn, rather than refined grains. According to Self, refined grains--such as those found in sugary cereals, white bread, and white rice--can spike blood sugar, signalling the body to store fat. This new, excess fat causes cells to push through connective tissue, creating a lumpy appearance. Another benefit of eating whole grains is their high fiber content, which promotes healthy elimination. "People who are constipated on a regular basis usually have cellulite," notes Kim Ulen, supervisor of the skin care department of the Cal-a-Vie Spa in Vista, California.
Green Tea
Drink green tea to help you burn calories and lose the weight that may be contributing to your cellulite. In a clinical study conducted at Geneva University Hospital and published in the December 1999 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that the catechin polyphenols in green tea promoted fat oxidation in human volunteers.
Restricted List
Avoid substances that worsen the appearance of cellulite. According to Women's Health Care Topics, these include alcohol--which dehydrates the body--and soda. Ulen advises avoiding salt, which can contribute to water retention and worsen cellulite. Other foods believed to contribute to cellulite are foods that are fatty, heavily processed, and fried. If you smoke, stop. According to aesthetician Carole Walderman, president of Von Lee International School of Aesthetics Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland, cigarettes constrict blood vessels and may make cellulite appear more prominent.
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