Healthy Eating

Dealing with cellulite isn’t just about exercise. It is also about adopting a healthy eating plan, knowing which foods are better than others and eradicating those bad foods from your diet.

Unfortunately today’s modern diet is a minefield for the cellulite sufferer due to its high sugar and fat content and with greater emphasis on processed and refined foods as opposed to fresh, natural ingredients. In truth, the body is a garbage bin to so much junk and rubbish that our liver, kidneys and bowels often find dealing with it too much. Once they have reached their capacity for elimination, the only alternative is for the waste to remain in the system.

Changing eating habits does not mean following a diet or calorie-counting, but it does mean watching that you eat healthy, nourishing food with a balance of essential nutrients derived from the following:

• Carbohydrates

• Proteins

• Fat

• Vitamins

• Minerals

Carbohydrates: these provide energy for the body and come in two types: simple carbohydrates which include basically sugar and very little else, and complex carbohydrates which include starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, cereal, pasta, rice, etc. Protein: the body breaks down the protein from food into its component building blocks called amino acids that it then uses to build and repair tissue and muscle. Found in foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt, eggs, beans, lentils and nuts, cereals, etc.

Fat: number one enemy for the body but essential for helping to insulate and protect the organs and nerves. It is found in varying quantities in numerous foods such as butter, cheese, lard, dripping, snack foods, fatty meat, etc. The basic aim of a healthy diet is to reduce the amount of fat you eat and stick to a low fat diet; it doesn’t mean cutting them out totally, simply choosing those foods sensibly and checking on the label for low fat.

The major part of a healthy eating programme consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, largely because of their abundance of minerals and vitamins. Canned ‘and processed foods are best avoided as they contain additives and preservatives, but if you do find yourself having to eat some then make sure the greater proportion of that meal is salad or lightly steamed vegetables.

High in calories, nuts are also high in fibre, nutrients and potassium so are the ideal source of essential unsaturated fatty acids. Best eaten raw, unsalted and fresh.

Just as nuts are high in nutrients, so too are pulses and seeds and once fully sprouted their nutrient content increases. Great for adding flavour and colour to foods.

Fish is the perfect food as it contains all the vital proteins. But as with most food, it is healthier eaten   it has been treated naturally. Avoid eating fish in fresh rather than frozen which will be depleted of   brine as it is too salty. If selecting canned fish, many essential nutrients. Smoked fish is fine provided   those in olive or vegetable oil are the best.

Good foods for banishing cellulite