The 30 best foods for tackling cellulite
It happens to the best of us, the dreaded orange peel skin, no matter what age or size we are. Try as we may to battle cellulite with potions, lotions, creams and treatments, the most effective way of smoothing things over is actually by improving our diets. Cellulite (bumpy fat deposits underneath the skin) is caused by a number of factors, including hormones, but the build-up of toxins in the body and the elasticity of the skin can also contribute. Try focusing your diet on the foods we've listed here and see if it makes a difference. You should also take regular exercise, focusing particularly on troublesome areas, and avoid alcohol, cigarettes and sugary or processed foods. Sorry 'bout that.
istockGreen Tea
Green tea has been proven to aid weight loss by speeding up the metabolism, inhibiting fat absorption and aiding glucose regulation, making it a great choice for anyone who’s looking to shape up and improve their health. However, it’s also good for beating the dreaded orange peel. It contains an ingredient called theobromine, which stimulates the release of stored fats in the body, as does the caffeine it contains. Try drinking three to five cups a day and see if it makes a difference.
istockWhole Grains
Brown pasta, brown rice and other whole grain cereals can aid weight loss as a source of slow-release energy, which keeps you satisfied for longer. They are also high in antioxidants, battling against cellulite-causing toxins by helping the body to boot them out. Add at least one bowl a day to your diet to feel the effects.
istockBroccoli
Broccoli is a real king among vegetables as far as nutritional values go. Each floret contains a cocktail of beauty-boosting vitamins and minerals, and is relatively low in calories. However, there is one property it has that other foods lack in. Alpha lipoic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that prevents collagen in the body from hardening, which causes cellulite. Get your fill by including three or four steamed portions a week to your meals.
istockWater
One of the most common causes of cellulite, other than genetics, are the toxins we consume and inhale. These reduce the skin’s elasticity and slow the circulation, so we need to aid our body’s natural detox process and help to flush them out. Drinking plenty of water is essential for this, so make sure you drink the recommended eight glasses a day, and avoid toxin-rich alcohol and soft drinks.
istockOranges
Oranges don’t just taste sweet – they’re a great for your body, too. As well as being packed with vitamin C, oranges contain methoxylated bioflavonoids, which improve the blood circulation and correct cell imbalances that may lead to cellulite.
istockAsparagus
Many A-listers swear by eating asparagus before appearing on the red carpet because of its fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce bloating while remaining low in calories. It’s also great for flushing out pesky toxins that can lead to cellulite, as it stimulates blood circulation.
istockBerries
Eating antioxidant-rich berries, such as raspberries, blueberries or blackberries, is a particularly good way of helping your body get rid of toxins. Sprinkle a handful over your cereal in the morning, or enjoy as part of a low fat smoothie.
iStockOily Fish
Processed fatty foods like cheese and sausages are a big cellulite-busting no-no. But good fats, like those found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, can actually help to smooth things out. The fatty acids it contains help your body to metabolise fat, including that of cellulite.
istockCayenne Pepper
As well as boosting your metabolism – the process your body uses to burn calories – cayenne pepper helps to improve your circulation. The hot spice does this by warming the body internally, thus increasing the blood flow.
istockTurmeric
Another spice great for giving orange peel skin the heave-ho is turmeric. The yellow spice, which is often used in Indian cooking, stimulates the circulation, reduces swelling and battles toxins with high levels of antioxidants, too. Try making a low-fat veggie curry a few times a week with some of the other ingredients listed here and see if it makes a difference.
istockGarlic
Garlic is well-known for helping to lower blood cholesterol, as well as being a great immune system booster and a natural antibiotic. This not only improves the general health of the body, but also aids blood circulation, helping the body to flush out toxins and battle against cellulite.
istockWatermelon
Watermelon gets its beautiful ruby red colour from a particularly potent antioxidant called lycopene. This not only helps to improve blood circulation, therefore helping to smooth out cellulite over time, but can also protect against heart disease…
istockPink Grapefruit
… As does pink grapefruit which, like oranges, also contains methoxylated bioflavonoids. These are antioxidants which improve the blood circulation and correct cell imbalances that can lead to cellulite. Furthermore, grapefruit is thought to be a good metabolism booster, so we’d definitely recommend giving this all-rounder a whirl.
istockTomatoes
Tomatoes also get their cheery scarlet exteriors from circulation-stimulating lycopene. They, too, are rich in vitamin C, which helps to keep the skin firm and taut by aiding collagen production.
istockApricots
Fibre-rich apricots are high in vitamins A and C, as well as containing lycopene. Swap out your usual midday snack for a small bag of dried apricots and a sprinkling of almonds instead.
istockBananas
Bananas are a great energy source, and are high in skin-improving minerals like zinc. They’re also renowned for boosting blood flow because of the potassium they contain, which can help to prevent cellulite. Try chopping a large one into a fruit salad in the morning, or tucking in before exercise.
istockBean Sprouts
Bean sprouts are well known for their multiple health benefits. They are extremely low in calories, but contain a full set of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E and K), as well as essential folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. These combined help stimulate blood circulation and aid liver functioning, as well as improving the health of the skin.
istockSpinach
If you’re looking to improve your skin and slim down, spinach is a good leaf to get to know. It is high in vitamin A, which can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite because it aids the production of collagen – a protein that strengthens, smoothes and plumps out the skin. Swap it in for lettuce in a salad, or throw a handful into a hot meal at dinnertime.
PA PhotosApples
Low in calories and high in fibre, apples are an excellent way to supplement your diet. They are full of toxin-battling antioxidants and pectin – a gel-forming fibre that helps to detoxify the digestive tract. Great for tackling cellulite!
istockCucumber
A build-up of fluid in the body can also trigger the onset of cellulite, no matter what age or size you are. Eating diuretic foods, like cucumber, can help to relieve water tension and remove toxins…
istockCelery
…As can diet food favourite celery…
istockCranberry Juice
…And cranberry juice. Just make sure you go for a brand that has no added sugars in it, as sugar is a cellulite trigger.
iStockCider Vinegar
If you’re looking for a quick fix, try adding a few capfuls of apple cider vinegar to your meals. It acts as a digestive tonic, helping to slay off harmful bacteria in the intestines, flush out toxins and relieve water retention around the thighs and stomach – all of which helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
istockNettles
Taken in a tea, capsule or soup form, nettles are one of the most detoxifying dietary supplements out there. Not only are they packed full of antioxidants, but they also have an anti-inflammatory effect, calming skin complaints like eczema and acne, and aiding digestion. Meanwhile, their diuretic properties help to eliminate cellulite-triggering toxins from the body and prevent fluid retention.
istockFennel
Aside from aiding digestion, reducing swelling and helping to flush out excess fluids and toxins which can lead to cellulite, liquorice-y fennel also works wonders for the health of your skin and hair. Take it in tea form, or pick up a few roots for roasting from your local supermarket.
istockLemon
Lemons aid the restoration of the body’s acid-alkali balance, keeping your insides at a steady pH. This means that your body is better able to support healthy bacteria and assist the removal of toxins – which can lead to cellulite – in the body. Squeeze over a salad or drink with hot water to reap the benefits.
istockBeetroot
It might be a bit messy to prepare, but beetroot is well worth the effort if you want to smooth away cellulite. The purple root vegetable contains circulation-stimulating lycopene, which helps to reduce water retention, as well as potassium, vitamin E (which is essential for skin health), and collagen-boosting vitamin A. This makes it a powerful body cleanser, helping to eliminate toxins from the body and lower cholesterol at the same time.
istockCabbage
Don’t overlook cabbage when you’re putting together your cellulite-busting diet plan. It’s a brilliant cleanser, and is naturally antiseptic, helping to flush out harmful toxins from the body. The potassium it contains can also relieve water retention.
istockEggs
Egg yolks might be high in cholesterol, but they’re also packed with detoxifying vitamins and minerals which can help to flush out excess waste from the body. The high levels of protein, too, assist proper cell function and aid repair. Just remember this mantra: boil or poach, but never fry.
istockDandelion
Much like nettle, dandelion is often thought of as a liver tonic. It has diuretic properties, helping to rid the body of toxins and flush out excess fluids with a powerful cocktail of antioxidant vitamins and minerals (including vitamins A, C, D and D) as well as zinc, iron and potassium. You can take dandelion root as a supplement, or as a tea.
