Lipedema: what to eat if you accumulate fat in legs and arms

Lipedema is a chronic and progressive disease affecting fatty tissue. What is known as lipedemic fat is formed. It cannot be eliminated either with sport or with a nutritional approach and accumulates in the extremities. Especially on the legs. 30% of those affected, because of the 90% are womenThey also suffer from it in the arms. I am part of the latter group.

Lipedema: what it is and treatment

To treat lipedema there are different strategies, although none removes it. The more conservative approach includes manual therapy and compression. Another strategy is to remove the fat through surgery. As is evident, they are not incompatible and in fact it is usual to combine them.

At the same time, it is important watch your diet and perform regular physical activity to help contain the progression. And it is that, although food cannot reduce that fat, yes can help reduce edema and prevent disease progression.

A major impediment to the treatment of lipedema is that it is a disease not yet included in the catalog of diseases of the Ministry of Health in many countries, including Spain, although it is recognized by the WHO. This translates into a suspected underdiagnosis of the disease, as well as a significant limitation of access to the different treatments. We hope that it will be corrected shortly and the offer and coverage by social security will increase, so that economic capacity is not a barrier.

diet for lipedema

Regarding the most suitable type of diet, the need for a personalized therapeutic regimen prevails. It is habitual lower the carbohydrate group, as well as eliminate alcohol, dairy, sugar and ultra-processed foods. There are people who also reduce or eliminate their gluten intake.

A very specific case of this type of dietary guidelines would be the ketogenic diet, where protein abounds, there are more healthy fats than usual and as few carbohydrates as possible are consumed. It is a very restrictive diet that must be controlled by a nutritionist. Although it seems impossible, it is possible Vegan-friendly keto diet.

In a keto vegan diet Legumes are not usually consumed and fruits and vegetables are very limited. However, seitan and tofu are suitable. Now, being wheat gluten, seitan is not an option when it comes to lipedema.

Allowed and recommended foods

are allowed berriesthe mushrooms, the green leaves, cruciferous such as cabbage or broccoli and zucchini and peppers. Also nuts and seeds, as well as coconut derivatives.

Despite its demonization for years, the truth is that soy does not affect our hormonal system: Therefore, soy is a safe food in case of lipedema and tofu becomes a first-rate protein source.

Another excellent source of vegetable proteins and, also, of very interesting fatty acids are Hemp seeds. We can find them peeled, packaged, and with the shell, usually in bulk. The shelled ones are much easier to use and we can incorporate them into creams, salads, desserts and sauces.

3 Keto Friendly Recipes for Lipedema

I leave you three very simple recipes, which do not even require quantities or times. For once, I am not going to include the rations or give measurements in case someone affected reads it: I think it is important to note that the pattern depends on the person and there are no generalizations possible.

1. breakfast bowl

Although if we comply with all the restrictions it may seem impossible to have breakfast, the truth is that we can make a great breakfast bowl with:

Coconut yogurt Sliced ​​sour apple Ground flax and chia seeds Tahini

in strawberry seasonYes, you can do it with diced strawberries and almonds, peanut butter and pure cocoa.

It is a hearty and very satisfying breakfast. You can accompany it with a sugar-free chai latte with a tablespoon of turmeric and pepper.

2. boats of red peppers

Red bell peppers, either halved or quartered, are ideal for stuffing raw (or baked). The raw option is the most interesting because of its great contribution in vitamin C.

An ideal filler is scrambled tofu with mushrooms. Scrambled tofu is very easy to make, you just need:

1 block of tofuTurmeric powderGround black pepperGarlic powderKala namak salt (if you want it to taste like eggs)Mushrooms, asparagus or young garlicVirgin olive oil

How to prepare the scrambled tofu:

Simply, we squeeze the tofu with our hands until it crumbles completely. In a bowl, we place the tofu, add olive oil and the spices and mix them well. Wash and cut the mushrooms into squares. We put everything in the pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

We wait for it to warm up and fill the peppers with this scrambled egg. We serve temperate or weather.

You have many more ideas with tofu that can be adapted here.

3. Zoodles with Avocado Salsa

Zucchini spaghetti are our best allies when we crave pasta, but according to our guidelines we have it contraindicated. We can consume them raw, steamed or lightly sautéed.

Avocado salsa is very easy to make, if you have:

Avocados Basil Hemp seeds Cashew nuts Olive oil (very little) Hot water

How to prepare them:

It is about mixing these ingredients until a creamy but light sauce is left. You can beat or simply incorporate with the split cashews. We can add and try. If you want to add salt, better at the end. In a bowl, mix the zoodles with the sauce and let it rest. Zoodles tend to sweat, so we’ll mix again before serving.