Eat to beat cellulite

Cellulite appears when fat deposits under your skin push through the connective tissues. Hormone imbalances, your genes, excess weight, circulation problems, inflammation, a sluggish lymphatic system, fluid retention and stress all play a part. ‘It isn’t just about body fat levels – athletes can have orange peel skin,’ says Christine Bailey, nutritionist and author of The Juice Diet. ‘It’s often related to hormones, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it.’ Eat your greens Eat more broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts – they support your liver’s detoxification enzymes. ‘You need to support the pathways that help rid the body of excess oestrogen,’ says Bailey. ‘If your oestrogen is imbalanced, you’re more likely to suffer skin issues.’ Eat plenty of sulphur-rich onions and garlic too, to help your liver get rid of toxins. Stay hydrated Drink 1.5–2 litres of water a day to help your body eliminate waste and reduce water retention. Bailey suggests drinking a green juice every day: avocado, cucumber, spinach and broccoli can all be juiced for a potent antioxidant mix. Add fresh apple for sweetness plus blue-green algae spirulina or chlorella for a micronutrient-packed drink. Vitamin C is vital for creating healthy collagen so add a kiwi, orange, papaya or pineapple. Flush your system Eating foods that are natural diuretics will also help fight fluid retention. Go to town on cucumber, celery, asparagus, tomatoes, garlic, artichoke, parsley, cranberries and watermelon. Bailey also recommends eating potassium-rich foods to rebalance fluid levels – bananas, dried apricots, spinach, sweet potato, cantaloupe melon and low-fat dairy are all good sources. Positive proteins Fish, chicken, eggs, beans and pulses contain amino acids that help your body produce collagen, which helps support your skin, so eat lean meat, beans, lentils or eggs daily. See red Red grapes, red grape juice and red wine contain plant chemicals said to block the enzymes that break down collagen. Bailey suggests a grape seed extract or resveratrol supplement for a high dose. Eat raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries too. ‘Berries support capillary repair,’ adds Bailey. Love good fats Omega-3 fats hydrate your skin and expand blood vessels to improve circulation and blood flow. Have oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna or salmon, twice a week. If you’re vegetarian, include plenty of plant-based omega-3 sources, such as walnuts, flaxseeds or flax oil, pumpkin seeds and soya beans. Go goji Dr Howard Murad, dermatologist and author of The Cellulite Solution, calls goji berries ‘cellulite assassinators’. These small pink berries are bursting with potent micronutrients for healthy cell function, plus antioxidants to protect skin cells. Snack on the berries or drink 30–90ml of Goji Berry Juice a day. Avoid these! - Salt encourages your body to retain water, so avoid adding it to food. Steer clear of processed foods and ready-meals that may have a high salt or sodium content. - Sugar contributes to inflammation in the body, as well as encouraging the storage of fat by boosting insulin production. Avoid sweet treats as much as possible. - Keep saturated fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils to a minimum. - Caffeine and alcohol put a strain on your liver.