6 Foods that Can Worsen Cellulite

Here are six foods that worsen cellulite as well as the reasons why they do this. Read on to get tips on what to avoid to make cellulite more apparent.
6 Foods that Can Worsen Cellulite

Last update: 11 June, 2022

You probably already have your anti-cellulite plan. You know that you need to eat a balanced diet, drink water, exercise, and apply anti-cellulite creams, etc.  There’s a lot of advice around, but knowing which are the foods that can worsen cellulite is an essential part of any good program for dealing with it.

Below we are going to identify some foods that can worsen cellulite, which you should eliminate from your diet if this is a concern for you. Avoiding them may even help you prevent the appearance of cellulite, or at least reduce it.

White sugar – one of the foods that can worsen cellulite

White sugar doesn’t provide any nutrients. In fact, a lot of nutritionists consider it to be a poison today.  It contains what are known as “empty calories,” which not only one of the foods that can worsen cellulite in terms of appearance, but can also make you overweight.  Consumption of white sugar is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Dentists have also told us all that it can really wreak havoc on your teeth, too.  White sugar also acidifies the blood and robs the body of minerals, like calcium, leaving teeth and bones weaker.

If you’re concerned about your appearance and health, why not try some healthy alternatives for white sugar? some of these are:

  • Brown sugar
  • Honey
  • Cane sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Agave nectar
  • Grain molasses (from rice, barley, etc)
  • Natural fruit syrups (from apples, pears, etc.)

Refined salt

It’s especially important to leave refined salt out of your diet, as it’s one of the foods that can worsen cellulite. Table salt is a refined salt, which only contains sodium chloride. This can contribute to fluid retention and poor circulation.  These biological characteristics are linked to cellulite.  It’s a lot healthier to choose unprocessed salts. These may have more minerals and trace elements that are, in small amounts, necessary for the body.

You might also try cooking with seawater. Some people swear that it tastes better and its natural salt is healthier.  You can buy it in herb stores and diet stores, and even at some supermarkets.  It can be used in stews, soups, or whenever you want to boil pasta or rice.

Fried foods

Fried foods are high in fat content. Although not all fat is bad, in most cases, fried foods are made with low-quality fat.  Eating foods that are high in fat can worsen cellulite on your body.  We recommend choosing to grill, steam, bake, saute, or cook in a wok.  

Alcoholic beverages

Alcoholic beverages do not directly cause cellulite, but they do constrict blood vessels in the skin, which makes the situation worse.  They also contain “empty calories”, which lead to weight gain and don’t provide any nutrients. When the body metabolizes them, they are converted into sugar.  Alcoholic beverages can also promote fluid retention and their calories can increase Fat deposits in the body.  Rather than drinking alcoholic beverages, we suggest drinking water or tea. Natural juices might can also be healthy if consumed in moderation.

Also see: Beverages to Help You Lose Fat

Refined foods

Foods prepared with refined, white flour are difficult to digest. Not only that, but they tend to have more calories and less nutrients than wheat-based foods. Some people report that they also cause them constipation.  That’s why we recommend avoiding white Bread and flour. Try out whole grains versions of rice, pasta, etc. instead. If you make these pastas at home, you could even use whole grain flour.

You Might Also Like: Healthiest Breads

On the other hand, too much whole grain isn’t great for your cellulite either.  They provide a lot of energy, and if you don’t use it, it will turn into fat reserves. That could mean bad news for your body and worsen cellulite.  It’s best to consume balanced portions each day of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and protein (be it from animal or vegetable sources).  

Junk food

Junk food in general (pastries, Hamburgers, french fries, sandwiches, sauces, pre-cooked foods, etc.) tends to combine the worst foods into a convenient package.  It contains refined flour, sugar, refined salt, and bad fats, all of which are extremely harmful to your health and can worsen cellulite.  They have been shown to increase the risk of suffering from coronary diseases.  By using these components, the body does not receive the nutrients it needs. What’s worse, they tend to have a whole lot of calories. Unless you’re running a marathon these will probably go to the “reserves”, which is to say, accumulated fat and subsequently worsened cellulite.

These foods don’t satiate hunger. In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. You need huge amounts of them to feel full. Due to the salt, sugar, and artificial flavoring used in them, they create addictive effects which generally make you want to eat more regardless of how full you are.  They are a major cause of the obesity in many countries.

This cheeseburger is one of the foods that can worsen cellulite


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Blanco Anesto, J. (2002). Consumir azúcar con moderación. Revista Cubana Aliment Nutr.             Available at: bvs.sld.cu/revistas/ali/vol16_2_02/ali08202.pdf
  • Sánchez M., C. (2007). Exceso de sodio, un mal a largo plazo. [Magazine] Punto Vital. Available at: 148.228.165.6/PES/fhs/Dimension%20Educacion%20para%20la%20salud/Exceso%20de%20sodio.pdf

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.