So many of us believe that fat is our number one enemy when it comes to staying in shape. The word “fat” conjures images of instant weight gain, a ruined diet, and cellulite taking over our bodies. Yet eating fat is essential for our health, and can actually benefit our figure. We explain everything in this article.
When we want to slim down and say goodbye to cellulite, one of the first instincts is to cut all fat from our diet: farewell burgers, fries, and cakes — but also olive oil, oily fish, and avocado… Yet not all fats should be eliminated. The key is knowing which ones are good for our bodies. While foods containing saturated fats are best kept off our plates, those containing unsaturated fats are, on the contrary, essential. These are the foods that supply our bodies with omega-3s, help regulate cholesterol levels, and protect our skin, eyes, and hair… In short, consumed in reasonable amounts, good fat is our ally for maintaining a healthy figure, preventing cellulite from developing, and staying in great shape. No need to be afraid — here’s how to incorporate healthy fats into a balanced diet.
What exactly is “fat”?
When we talk about fat, we’re actually talking about lipids — one of the 3 major nutrient families our bodies need, alongside proteins and carbohydrates. Lipids are essential in our diet. They provide energy to our bodies, and help maintain our skin, nails, hair, and all of our cells. Lipids also play a key role in helping our bodies absorb the vitamins we consume.
To keep things simple, there are 3 main categories of fat: saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and trans fatty acids. Saturated and trans fatty acids are not essential to our bodies and are even considered harmful when consumed too frequently — they promote the development of bad cholesterol and heart disease. Unsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, are excellent for our health!
Why do we need to eat fat?
Eating fat is essential for our health. “Good fat” — that is, unsaturated fat — provides us with omega-3s, which are vital for our bodies to function properly and cannot be produced on their own. The only way to get these omega-3s is through the food we eat.
Consuming foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids helps regulate cholesterol levels, keeps the heart healthy, protects our eyes, skin, and hair — and can even help reduce cellulite! By choosing foods rich in unsaturated fats, you trigger a mechanism that encourages your body to draw its energy directly from stored fat, gently smoothing away the appearance of orange-peel skin.
Where can you find good fats?
The key takeaway is this: eating fat is essential, but choosing the right fat matters! Steer clear of fried foods, spreads, and other indulgences that contain only saturated or trans fatty acids, and opt instead for foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids. These include olive oil, avocados, oily fish, almonds, soy, flaxseeds, and more.
As for bad fats — no surprises here — they’re found mainly in fried foods and, more broadly, in all processed foods: packets of biscuits, savoury snacks, crisps, ready-made desserts… Quick tip: if you spot the word “hydrogenated” in the ingredients list, put it back on the shelf! Some people choose to cut trans fats out entirely, but know that the occasional treat is perfectly fine.
Diet plays an important role in the fight against cellulite — but don’t forget, to truly get rid of orange-peel skin and see real results fast, regular massage sessions using the pinch-and-roll technique are a must! This is the only method that will truly help you tackle cellulite and reveal beautifully smooth skin. For easy, quick, and effective massages, reach for your CelluBlue Cupping Cups.