A majority of women have cellulite, that bumpy, lumpy, cottage cheese-looking fat that appears on the thighs, buttocks and stomach of nearly 90% of women. Most men are not plagued with cellulite and never have to worry about it.
Cellulite occurs when pockets of fat push through the connective tissue underneath the skin. As women age, the connective tissue becomes brittle and makes it easier for the fat to push through. That is the reason that although you probably never had to worry about cellulite when you were younger, you may be finding it more of a problem as you get older.
Hormone changes, stress, weight gain, pregnancy and a sedentary lifestyle are all causes of cellulite. Genetics come into play in deciding which women get cellulite. Studies indicate that small structural differences in two genes that control blood flow and metabolism have a great impact on cellulite. Scientists are beginning to understand how cellulite develops and in turn they have discovered some exciting methods for fighting it.
Some of these methods include liposuction, tissue manipulation, ultrasound, carbon dioxide therapy, cold therapy and drugs that target local fat metabolism.
Diet, exercise and weight loss are still the best arsenal to fight cellulite. When you reduce body fat, you automatically reduce cellulite. The less fat that you have on your body, the less cellulite you will have as well. The good news is you can fight cellulite with a healthy diet.
Avoid simple carbohydrates that trigger the release of insulin and encourage your body to store fat. Complex carbs, such as whole grains and pasta, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and olive oil are great examples of a healthy diet that discourages the formation of cellulite. These foods digest easily without an excess amount of fat storage and give you the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Strive for foods that are low in sugar and sodium too.
Eat smaller portions but eat more often. I have found that eating 5 to 6 meals a day as opposed to 3 large meals, is a much more effective way to lose weight. Eating more frequently means you never feel overly hungry and therefore naturally eat less at each meal. The best part is that you won’t feel cheated or deprived because there are so many foods that you can eat.
Food is the answer to fighting cellulite. Along with daily exercise, your diet is the foundation to a fit and healthy body. Controlling your weight will help, but starving yourself is not the answer to losing weight. Eating a variety of healthy, nutritious foods that work for your body and not against it is the ideal way to control your weight and reduce cellulite.