Cellulite Diet

DEFINITION

The aim for the Diet for Cellulite is to assist in reducing body fat and improving elimination of waste products from the body. There are no wonder cures or diets for Cellulite.

DIET SHOULD BE HIGH IN

-FIBRE: increases the 'bulk' of a meal without adding calories. This gives a feeling of fullness and reduces the appetite. Fibre also supports bowel function and helps eliminate waste products released during weight loss. Use wholemeal, wholegrain and bran products wherever possible. Brown rice, wholemeal pasta, and wholemeal flour are preferred. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (unpeeled where possible). Psyllium husks and guar gum are suitable fibre supplements.
-FLUID: 6 to 8 glasses of water daily suppresses the appetite, helps metabolise stored fat and clears waste products.

DIET SHOULD BE LOW IN

-FATS from all sources, whether animal or vegetable, visible or invisible. Sources of fat include oils, butters, dairy products, meat, egg yolks, offal and nuts.
-REFINED SUGARS AND STARCHES. These add extra kilojoules (calories) with little or no fibre or nutritional value. Sources include cane sugar, soft drinks, lollies, many sauces and condiments, biscuits, some breakfast cereals and alcoholic drinks.
-SODIUM OR SALT. Sodium aggravates fluid retention. Salty foods include processed meats, take-away foods, pickled foods, some canned foods, processed cheese, smoked fish, most gravies or sauces and most snack foods such as nuts or potato chips.

SAMPLE MEAL PLAN

The following meal plan is suggested to help reduce cellulite.

BREAKFAST
-Half a cup of untoasted Muesli or porridge with 1-2 dessert spoons unprocessed bran and low fat milk OR
-Half cup baked beans on one slice wholemeal bread (no butter or margarine).
-One piece fresh fruit or 1/4 cup dried fruit, soaked.
- Tea or weak coffee with low fat milk and no sugar.
Daily allowance: 300 mls (1 1/4 cups) skim/low fat milk.
MORNING TEA
-2 rice cakes or wheat biscuits with tomato
-2 glasses of water.

LUNCH
-Wholegrain sandwich or bread roll with either:
One thin slice lean ham, cold meat, turkey or chicken (no skin) or
1 slice of reduced fat cheese (ricotta, cottage or feta) or
1/4 cup salmon or tuna packed in spring water.
-Salad vegetables as desired (use lemon juice and vinegar for dressing)
-One piece fresh fruit or half cup fruit salad.
-Two glasses of water.

AFTERNOON TEA
-Selection of raw vegetables (carrot, celery, cucumber) with low fat yoghurt as a dip
-2 glasses of water.

DINNER
-Vegetable soup or minestrone with kidney beans.
-90 -120g of either lean beef, lamb, pork, diet mince, skinless chicken OR
-180-240g steamed fish.
-One medium steamed jacket potato or half to 2/3 cup steamed brown rice or wholemeal pasta.
-Carrot, pumpkin or corn plus plenty of green vegetables or salad.
-Half cup stewed fruit or fresh fruit salad plus a small tub of non-fat yoghurt.
-Two glasses of water.

REMEMBER

-Use a little vegetable stock instead of oil for sauteing or frying foods.
-Use skim milk thickened with cornflour as a substitute for any sauce requiring cream.
-Trim all the fat from meat and remove the skin from chicken.
-Low fat flavours for meats and fish include lemon juice or lemon pepper, most spices, fresh herbs, garlic and onion.
-Invest in a non-stick pan to make cooking without oil easier.

DISCLAIMER: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or naturopath before following any medical regimen to see whether it is safe and effective for you.