It’s lumpy, bumpy, and downright unflattering. We’re talking about cellulite and if you have it, you’re not alone. 93% of women have it on their body.
It’s not very easy to make these fatty deposits budge, even with diet and exercise. However, consuming too many of the wrong foods can contribute to cellulite.
Here are five foods that cause cellulite—could you be eating too much of these?
1. Pizza
Pizza seems like it should be the perfect food, delivering a yummy dose of calcium and protein. Yet its high sodium content can make cellulite look worse. Pizza sauce and cheese, the two main ingredients, can retain water in the body, exaggerating the skin’s dimpled appearance.
Limit your amount of slices and choose healthier toppings like grilled chicken and veggies instead of processed meats such as sausage and pepperoni. Processed meats can drive up the overall sodium content.
2. Cheese
It goes without saying that if pizza contributes to cellulite, then pizza will as well. Any type of cheese including cottage cheese (which looks like cellulite) is high in sodium. You can soften its effect on cellulite by controlling your portion size and drinking plenty of water afterward.
3. Sugary Snacks and Beverages
Sugar itself may not contain any fat, but it is made up of empty calories. Consuming too much of it may also reduce the amount of collagen in your body, leading to premature aging and sagging. This can make cellulite look worse.
Although hidden sugar is everywhere, especially in processed foods, you can make an effort to reduce your daily intake by cutting down on soda, sweetened yogurt, and desserts. The less sugar in your diet, the more likely you are to have smoother skin.
4. Refined Carbs
You wouldn’t think that potatoes, rice, pasta, and products made with white flour such as bread and crackers can cause cellulite. But these high-glycemic-index foods are broken down into sugar by the body and can actually cause inflammation as a result. This can make cellulite look worse—not to mention the sugar they’re converted to can accelerate aging.
Reach instead for whole-grain bread and pasta made from chickpeas and veggies.
5. Processed Meats
Processed meats such as bacon, ham, and turkey may be tasty on a sandwich, but they also contribute to cellulite because of their high sodium content. The average serving of processed deli meat contains nearly 800 mg of sodium and many sandwich shops will pile on meat that contains much more than that.
Go easy on deli meat or opt or lower-sodium versions to help reduce cellulite.
Foods That Fight Cellulite
So what should you be eating to stop cellulite? Fruits and veggies that are high in anti-oxidants can help reduce the appearance of cellulite as they fight inflammation. So can dark chocolate.
Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated is another good defense against cellulite. Find out more about the facts and myths of getting rid of cellulite.
Avoid Foods That Cause Cellulite For Smoother Skin
The old saying “you are what you eat” was never truer when it comes to knowing about foods that cause cellulite. Reduce your intake of the five foods above to see a difference in your body’s appearance.