Healthy Hollywood: Ask Keri Glassman — How Do I Get Rid Of Cellulite?

Nutritionist Keri Glassman, who regularly shares her expertise on Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live, is answering your nutrition, diet, and health questions.

Want to know which foods to curb sugar cravings? Or, what should you eat before a workout? Ask Keri anything!

Keri will choose one great question a week to be answered Thursday in our Healthy Hollywood column.

To submit questions for Keri, click HERE!

This week’s question — June Madison asks: Help! How do I get rid of cellulite?

Keri says…

Hmm… How to get rid of cellulite? This is a question asked by many — not surprising given that an estimated 85 percent of women 20 years and older, and some men, have cellulite. The less than glamorous “lumps” are an unfortunate trait we can thank our genes for. Some people also credit cellulite to a buildup of toxins, although this has not been confirmed by research. That said, decreasing toxins is a good idea anyway, especially if looking better in your bikini could be a by-product! Other cellulite culprits include stress and a couch potato lifestyle. There is no way to get rid of cellulite completely, but here is what I recommend to minimize its appearance and help you look your best this weekend.

Cellulite cells are round and bumpy, which can become more prominent when the skin is dehydrated and dry. It is important to drink adequate water to stay hydrated and keep skin plump (you’ve heard it before, eight 8-oz glasses a day). Don’t forget, you don’t just get water from beverages, high water volume foods count as well! Some of my favorites are cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumbers.

Next, make sure to consume foods rich in monounsaturated fats, which help maintain the skin’s vitality and speed up the regeneration of new skin cells. My favorite monos are almonds, walnuts, avocado, and dark chocolate. BONUS: these foods may reduce belly fat and keep you satisfied longer so you don’t over indulge!

You probably know you should limit high sugar processed foods for good health. If you need another motivating factor, sugar has been linked to cellulite because it slows the production of collagen in the body (responsible for keeping the skin healthy and supple).

I often talk about stress disrupting hormones, making us hungrier and causing us to overeat and gain weight. This same stress may also increase the appearance of cellulite. I can’t take away all of your stress, but I can recommend you to find one thing that you can incorporate into your life daily to decrease it. How about: writing in a journal, using aromatherapy, meditating even for five minutes and of course, exercising! Exercise is one of the most important ways to fight cellulite because it will help burn fat and build muscle around cellulite cells. Both cardio and strength training are important for burning fat and keeping the skin smooth and lump-free. Lean proteins such as eggs, turkey, lean beef, and legumes help you build muscle while strengthening and repairing existing muscle cells. So the old adage, “eat right and exercise” strikes again even for fighting cellulite.

Drink Up, Stress Less, Eat Empowered, and Exercise Steady to look your best this weekend!

–Terri MacLeod & Keri Glassman