While this is not necessarily a weight loss diet, it’s likely that you will shed some pounds and inches: it’s devised to have the greatest impact on cellulite which, as we know, is not fat per se, but largely caused by excess fluid in the body and between fat cells.
The aim then is to reduce that fluid and nutrition is one excellent way to do that.
ON RISING:
A cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon to activate the digestion and encourage elimination of waste.
FOR BREAKFAST:
2 tablespoons of oat bran mixed with fat-free yoghurt or skimmed milk as porridge. Or make a pancake with the oat bran, mixing it with two egg whites (the yolk contains carbs – try to avoid it) and a tablespoon of fromage frais and adding it to a hot frying pan with a dash of olive oil. Cook it till brown on both sides.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT OAT BRAN?
Oat bran is integral to the diet, not just because it’s a sustaining carbohydrate that sets you up for the day. It’s very rich in protein and fibre – both obviously key, but soluble fibre especially because it’s this that absorbs excess water – up to 20 times on average its own volume, and that’s pretty significant when you have a tendency to retain excess fluid.
FOR LUNCH AND SUPPER:
Protein and vegetables. Bear in mind that most vegetables have a carb value, so try to choose those with the lowest – like superfoods broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, celery, mushrooms, spinach, avocados and cauliflower. Some vegetables – like celery, cucumber, onion, garlic, ginger and carrots also have a diuretic value, they encourage your body to expel fluid, so they are useful to your diet. An ideal lunch or supper would include these with some lean protein – chicken, eggs, smoked salmon (oily fish is an excellent protein for you) and white fish.
BEFORE BED:
A cup of hot water with a squeeze of lemon and slice of ginger, or a cleansing herbal drink.
AS REFRESHMENT:
In addition to water, you can drink tea and coffee (with skimmed milk), herbal and green teas throughout the day. A turmeric latte, made with skimmed milk, makes an excellent pick-me-up mid morning. Avoid canned fizzy drinks, bottled fruit juice, and – as far as possible – alcohol.
EVERYDAY, AS PART OF YOUR EATING PLAN, TRY TO:
- Drink at least one litre of still water
Wait 5 hours between each meal and avoid snacking in between - Limit your dairy intake to low fat (or fat free) yoghurt and cottage cheese, and skimmed or soya milk.
- Eat mostly water-rich fruit with a diuretic quality like watermelon, lemon, grapes and berries, or low-sugar fruit like lemon, raspberries, grapefruit, peaches (surprisingly because they taste v sweet), oranges and strawberries. Bananas are sugary, but they’re also high in potassium which is a naturally good diuretic, so they are ok to eat in moderation.
