When you want to get rid of cellulite and tone your body, you usually pay close attention to what you eat while keeping up with exercise… But one thing that often gets overlooked is what you’re drinking. Today, we’re sharing a list of drinks to cut out so you can give yourself every chance of achieving smoother, dimple-free skin!
Drinks to cut out to fight cellulite
Alcohol
Cocktails, white or red wine, beer, champagne… Alcohol delivers nothing but empty calories — around 7 calories per gram — along with a hefty dose of sugar. When you consider that a single glass of wine contains roughly 10 g of alcohol, those numbers add up fast. To avoid storing unnecessary fat and making your cellulite worse, limit yourself to the occasional drink at special events.
Sodas: the drinks to cut out without question
Fizzy drinks are far too sugary. Did you know that a single can of soda contains the equivalent of 6 to 7 cubes of refined sugar? And sugar is your figure’s number one enemy. It encourages fat storage — especially around the stomach — and fuels the appearance of that dreaded cellulite. On top of that, the sugar in sodas triggers a blood sugar spike, which leads to… an irresistible urge to snack! And as we all know, snacking means weight gain and more cellulite. If you’re looking to stay trim, slim down, or reduce cellulite, sodas are firmly on the list of drinks to cut out.
Sparkling water
A scientific study has shown that sparkling water can actually make you feel hungry. Researchers found that carbonated drinks promote weight gain by stimulating appetite. It turns out that adding carbon dioxide to a drink increases the production of a hormone called ghrelin — the very hormone responsible for triggering hunger. And the effect is significant: according to the same study, people who drink sparkling water have ghrelin levels up to 6 times higher than those who drink still water. As we know, hunger leads to snacking, which leads to excess fat storage and… the appearance of cellulite.
Fruit juices
Despite what the attractive packaging might suggest, store-bought fruit juices are often made with sweeteners, concentrated juices, and artificial flavourings. These industrial fruit juices belong on the list of drinks to avoid, as they contain poor-quality sugars that can worsen cellulite. Instead, make your own fresh juices at home using seasonal fruit, or choose genuinely organic, natural options.
Also read: 6 draining anti-cellulite drinks that actually work
Milk-based drinks
Hot chocolate, cappuccino, mocha, macchiato… All these milk- or cream-based drinks are far too calorie-dense for everyday consumption and can quickly have an impact on your cellulite. If you really can’t do without them, opt for skimmed or plant-based milks, which are lower in fat. Even better, swap them for a green tea or herbal infusion. We’ve even put together some anti-cellulite infusion ideas right here!
So what can I drink?
Don’t panic! Even though water is the only drink our bodies truly need, there are plenty of other options to keep things interesting. Start every morning on an empty stomach with a glass of warm or cool water and the juice of an organic lemon — a great way to detoxify your system and support cellulite elimination.
Throughout the rest of the day, you can enjoy a wide variety of drinks: homemade fruit juices, homemade smoothies (in reasonable amounts), herbal infusions, tea and coffee (unsweetened!), fruit-infused water (made yourself), hot or cold broths… You’ll soon forget all about sodas and other processed drinks, saving them for the rare special occasion.
But keep in mind: when it comes to eliminating cellulite, staying hydrated, keeping your energy up, and fighting water retention, still water is the one truly essential drink.