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In order to share current thinking about nutrition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently
completed a long awaited revision of its healthy food guide pyramid. This latest configuration shifts
the weight of the four basic food groups from meat and dairy to grains, fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Murad has taken the update a step further. Unlike the traditional food guide pyramid, Dr. Murad’s
Food Pyramid doesn’t include red meat and other high-saturated fat meat products in the protein
group, whole-fat dairy products in the protein group, refined grains and carbohydrates in the grain
group, high-calorie refined sugars or unhealthy fats and oils.
Despite the strict sound of the guidelines, Dr. Murad does understand human nature, and believes
that it’s okay to have a bite of chocolate or the occasional hamburger. He simply encourages us to
try and substitute healthier, cellulite-fighting alternatives when possible. Naturally, the more you
follow the guidelines of the Murad Food Pyramid, the more successful you will be in helping your skin to
heal and avoid new cellulite damage. |
The base of the Murad Food Pyramid shows the foundation of your anti-cellulite diet—fruits
and vegetables. You should eat 3 or more daily servings of fruits and at least 5 daily
servings of vegetables. These foods are rich in the antioxidants your body needs to heal
your damaged skin cells. They also contain many of the trace minerals and B vitamins
that your body uses to metabolize carbohydrates, fat and protein, to synthesize DNA and
to build new cells. Because the water is encapsulated in the cell structure of these foods,
fruits and vegetables are also probably the best source of water for your body.
Whenever possible, eat fruits and vegetables raw. If you cook the vegetables, steam them
to retain the nutrients or lightly boil them.
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The next step up the pyramid is rice, pasta, bread and cereal. These whole grain foods
are important sources of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to make use of other
nutrients in your diet, such as carbohydrates, fat and protein. You should eat 4-8 servings
of whole grains a day. Remember to look for the whole grain—that means choosing brown
rice, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread.
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The third tier of the Murad Food Pyramid is reserved for protein-rich foods—including,
omega-3 rich fish, white meat chicken, eggs, soy foods, fat-free and low-fat dairy
products and beans. These foods provide most of our amino acids and give your body the
raw materials it needs to build collagen and elastin—the two substances necessary for
keeping your dermis and blood vessels firm, strong and smooth. Try to eat 4-6 servings
a day.
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Everyone needs fat in their diet—but probably not as much as most people eat and
probably not the kind most people eat. Limit yourself to 3-4 servings a day. “Healthy” fats
are unsaturated and rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil, extra-virgin olive
oil, canola oil, natural nut butters, and nuts are delicious sources of the "good" fats you
need to keep your skin hydrated, supple, youthful and healthy.
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At the top of the Murad Food Pyramid are nutritional supplements. These are isolated
forms of the nutrients your body needs to repair damaged skin. Often our diets do not
provide enough of the antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, glucosamine, lecithin, essential
fatty acids, B vitamins and trace minerals we need for strong skin. That’s why daily
supplementation with an extra dose of these skin building “cellulite busters”
may be the most important step you can take to eliminate imperfections in
your skin.
You can find these cellulite-busting nutrients in the Murad Firm and Tone Dietary
Supplement Pack for Cellulite and Stretch Mark Management.
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