A Specialist’s Guide to Lipedema Foods to Avoid
A specialist will tell you that there are several lipedema foods to avoid if you suffer from this condition. Although diet cannot cure lipedema, it can help to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Eating properly can also help at the early stages of the disease. It can slow down its progression. It also works well in conjunction with other treatments.
If you suffer from lipedema and wonder which foods to avoid, read our advice from Dr. Su, our specialist.
Maintain A Low G.I. Diet
Perhaps the most important diet tip for lipedema sufferers is to maintain a low G.I. diet. Low glycemic index foods help reduce inflammation in the body. Sufferers should reduce the amount of carbohydrates, simple sugars, wheat, salt, and glucose they consume. They should avoid any foods containing processed flour.
It’s essential for lipedema sufferers to avoid having any foods that cause blood sugar to rise rapidly. Pre-packaged or fast food meals, fizzy sodas, jellies, candies, and cookies are all major culprits. Avoiding these food items is, therefore, essential.
In fact, it’s often best for lipedema sufferers to adopt a low-gluten or gluten-free diet, because it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. A gluten-free diet helps reduce the swelling associated with lipedema. Many specialists also advise patients to reduce the amount of pasteurized dairy products they consume. They also suggest minimizing their intake of animal fats and proteins.
Is Keto A Good Idea?
Some patients can benefit from adopting a ketogenic diet. This way of eating eliminates carbohydrates, sugars, and artificial sweeteners. Meanwhile, it involves eating more healthy fats. Patients eating this way often report they have less pain and swelling. However, patients may find it hard to maintain a keto diet, because they can’t eat any bread or pastry products. There are also restrictions regarding fruits, vegetables, and other dietary elements.
Should I Switch To A Vegan Diet?
Some lipedema sufferers find that switching to a vegan lifestyle helps their symptoms. It’s undoubtedly a good idea to eat a lot more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and legumes. However, it’s often hard to consume sufficient protein on a vegan diet. It may also be difficult to get essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it’s often best to eat more plant-based foods alongside other forms of protein. That can help sufferers to achieve good nutrition while maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet.
A Low Sodium Approach
Salt increases water retention, which is a big problem for lipedema sufferers. Therefore, a low-sodium diet is best for patients. Salt binds water inside the body’s tissues. For lipedema sufferers, this causes more pain and swelling, something they need to avoid.
Is Diet Alone Enough To Treat Lipedema?
Unfortunately, eating well cannot treat lipedema alone. There is no cure for lipedema, but surgical treatments like liposuction help bring relief for patients. Eating healthily in combination with surgery is the best course of action. Liposuction removes the diseased fat.
Patients experience less pain and mobility issues afterward. They also benefit from improved self-esteem. If they eat a healthy lipedema-friendly diet afterward, they maintain the benefits of their surgery in the long term.
To find out more about lipedema foods to avoid and surgical treatments, contact Dr. Su at ArtLipo today.
