Cottage cheese, booty dents, dimple thighs.
You’ve heard these names, and many others like it no doubt in reference to cellulite, the “bumpy” fat that resides underneath your skin. Try as you might, no amount of dieting or intense exercising can seem to scrub away those unsightly bumps and lumps from your thunder thighs.
Cellulite is caused by a number of factors, but in general, cellulite occurs when underlying fat deposits begin to “push through” layers of connective tissue (collagen) beneath the skin. While it might seem next-to impossible to eliminate cellulite, using a combination of exercise, diet, and Buns of Steel® you can help rid your body of cellulite for good.
To get you started, we’ve come up with a list of the top 10 foods you can incorporate into your daily diet to help banish cellulite forever!
Cellulite Combatting Foods
1. Green Tea
Green Tea has been consumed around the world for thousands of years for its plethora of health benefits, primarily in regards to heart health. But, it’s also a proven fat-fighter and metabolism booster thanks to the polyphenols contained in it, such as EGCG. Green Tea is also packed with theobromine, a relative of caffeine, which stimulates lipolysis (release of stored fats). Consuming three to five cups per day of green tea has been shown to increase metabolism, decrease fat absorption, reduce appetite, and enhance glucose regulation.
2. Broccoli
As far as powerhouse foods go, broccoli is about as good as it gets. Each floret of the tasty veggie is bursting with vitamins and minerals, and it’s low in calories. In addition to the truckload of antioxidants included in broccoli, there’s also Alpha lipoic acid -- a naturally-occurring substance that inhibits collagen from hardening, thereby preventing cellulite. Be generous when adding broccoli to your meal, there’s simply too many benefits to not make it a staple of your diet!
3. Water
Time and again you’ve heard doctors, nutritionists, and personal trainers strongly recommend the consumption of water each and every day. While it’s true the water is essential to just about every process in the human body, it also enhances your body’s naturally detox processes and flush away all the nasties that accumulate in the body on a daily basis.
Proper hydration is crucial to optimal performance, overall health, and fat loss. Drinking plenty of water hydrates the skin, improves its elasticity, and gives you the smooth, supple look you always should have. Bottom line -- DRINK YOUR WATER people!
4. Salmon
Fatty fish like salmon are high in protein, antioxidants and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. On top of that, the omega-3 fats found in oily fish help reduce inflammation, decrease appetite, and strengthen connective tissue and skin, all of which helps reduce cellulite. And, since salmon is high in protein, it’ll keep you full and provide the crucial raw materials your body needs to repair and build muscle. Remember, the more lean mass you have, the higher your metabolism is, and the more calories (i.e. fat) you burn each day!
5. Chili Peppers
Chili peppers are potent flavor bombs that seriously amp up the taste and heat level of cooked dishes. Peppers such as jalapeño, serrano, or cayenne are packed with Vitamin B6, which restores and strengthens connective tissue, helping you avoid that unsightly dimpling in your buns.
Furthermore, chili peppers are also loaded with capsaicin, which has been shown to increase metabolism and reduce appetite, enhancing fat loss. It’s also worth mentioning that consuming hot peppers also enhances blood flow. As you might know, poor circulation is thought to be one of the primary contributing factors to cellulite development.
6. Dark Berries
Dark berries such as blueberries or blackberries contain compounds shown to enhance collagen production, which promotes the creation of new skin tissue, thereby improving its tone and texture. These berries also are chock-full of powerful antioxidants and polyphenols that help break down stored fat and restrict the formation of new fat cells. Consider adding a serving of berries to your morning oatmeal (another fat-fighting food!) for a delicious, satisfying, fat-fighting breakfast!
7. Olive Oil
Many of today’s foods are prepared with unhealthy, and artery-clogging, fats. While you want to avoid these types of fats at all costs, you still need to consume some fat in order to maintain optimal hormone production and health.
Olive Oil provides an incredibly healthy source of monounsaturated fats as well as polyphenols that enhance thyroid function. Better thyroid function means a higher metabolic rate, greater fat burning, and energized skin-building cells, all of which supports reduced cellulite and smoother skin.
8. Dark Chocolate
Cocoa powder is full of antioxidants used by the body to break down the fat in cellulite, and allow it to be burned for energy. The trace amounts of caffeine contained in natural coca also help dehydrate fat cells under the skin, creating a more even outer look. When shopping for chocolate, go for the dark varieties containing at least 70-80% cocoa as these varieties are the most nutrient packed. Plus, they taste a whole lot better than cheaper milk chocolates.
9. Turmeric
Widely used in Indian cooking, turmeric is a spice that helps combat inflammation and swelling due to the high levels of antioxidants contained in it. In case you weren’t aware, inflammation can cause loosening of the skin, which further exacerbates the cellulite deposition in certain areas of your body. The antioxidant compounds present in turmeric reduce inflammation and promote skin health, tone, clarity, and overall appearance.
10. Asparagus
Asparagus is the pointy, spear-like looking vegetable that’s great grilled, broiled, or baked. It goes great alongside a piece of seared salmon and is another great cellulite-fighting food. The veggie is rich in folic acid, which reduces cortisol levels and boost mood. High cortisol levels promote fat storage in the body, so keeping cortisol in check is a must for avoiding cellulite. Plus, asparagus also enhances circulation, providing yet another means to keep cellulite at bay.
