Top tips for banishing cellulite forever:

Oh cellulite – For the unlucky women who know what it is like to have cellulite, you will understand the annoyance and process in trying to rid this problem. How can we escape the cellulite curse? Rescu. talked to Zoe Bingley-Pullin, Nutritionist and founder of the online food program Falling In Love With Food who explained the four stages of cellulite, and ways you can modify your diet to beat this dreaded ‘orange peel’ skin and improve your overall health. 

Cellulite is a mattress or dimple-like build-up of Adipose Fat in the cells and unfortunately it is more common in women than men. The annoying aspect about cellulite is that it is not generally associated with people who are overweight. A French physician first described cellulite in 1916; he called it ‘pes d’orange’, or the orange peel effect.

1. When pinching your flesh, it still remains smooth.
2. When pinched, your skin reveals the first sighs of mattress-like effect.
3. When lying down, skin is smooth but standing shows the mattress-like effect.
4. You can trick yourself but the formation of cellulite is showing when you’re standing, sitting, or lying down.

Water: Poor elimination of toxins, especially in the lymphatic system, plays a role in the establishment of cellulite. Increasing your water consumption to two to three litres of plain water or herbal teas per day will help reduce the formation of cellulite and speed your metabolism.

Low fibre diet: Consuming a diet low in fibre will slow the body’s ability to rid toxins from the bowl. Fibre can be supplements, such as Psyllium husks or natural bran, but the best and most effective in to increase your consumption of high fibre foods, such as fruit, vegetable, grain and legumes.

Avoid refined carbohydrates and processed foods: Sweet foods, white-flour products, such as cakes, cookies and white bread, preserved foods, commercial tomato sauces, bottled salad dressings and sweetened yoghurt, should all be avoided.

These foods are all processed and contain few vitamins and minerals needed for your daily requirement. The body burns them quickly so they do not satisfy you therefore leading you to overeat. They also have a high content of Trans Fatty Acids that when metabolised create toxins and fatty deposits.

Avoid crash diets: Crash diets can often be the cause of cellulite in the first place because of the sudden weight loss and then more often weight gain. It is very important that when losing weight, you do it progressively, and think health lifestyle changes, not one hit wonders in a box.

Reduce saturated fats: Saturated fats, such as animal fat, coconuts, palm oil, hydrogenised fats, such as margarine and refined oils, should all be avoided.

Replace them with Essential Fatty Acids, such as avocado, fish and unrefined, cold-pressed oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, walnuts oil and flaxseed oil. Essential Fatty Acids will actually help the body to burn excess fat.

Reduce toxins: Living a lifestyle, which is filled with toxins, such coffee, alcohol and smoking, all have a direct result in the formation of cellulite. Although coffee has the effect in some people to increase bowel motions, the body’s ability to cope with the caffeine can be compromised by all the other toxins we consume. Try Dandelion tea or herbal teas as an alternative.

Remember that an unclean lifestyle can only lead to an unclean body.

Prep time: 23-35 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 minutes
Serves: 4

1 tbsp of Agave nectar or honey
1 avocado, diced
2-3 red chillies, deseeded and roughly chopped (choose the small for a fiery taste, or the large ones for a milder taste)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon mixed zest, (orange, lemon and lime)
1/3 cup of fresh mint leaves, picked
1/3 cup of fresh basil leaves, picked
¼ cup of olive oil
2 tbsp of water

1 red capsicum, trimmed and cut into 2-3 cm lengths
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-3 cm lengths
1 cup raw broccoli, trimmed and cut into floret’s
1 cup grated beetroot
1 cup grated carrot
2 cups fresh wild or baby rocket, washed

In a food processor or blender, combine all dressing ingredients, blend until smooth. Set aside until needed.
In a large mixing bowl, toss briefly to combine the capsicum, beans, broccoli, beetroot and carrot.
Place a handful of the rocket on each plate and top with vegetable salad. Enjoy!