Is The Lipedema Diet Good For Treating Lipedema?
The effectiveness of the Lipedema Diet for treating lipedema is still under discussion in the medical community. While it's suggested as a way to manage symptoms and slow down progression, it's not considered a cure [17].
There is currently no certain cure for lipedema. However, following a healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent or manage lipedema.
You need to do regular check-ups and be supervised by a healthcare professional to get a personalized plan that aligns with your needs. This plan can include advice on food, exercise, and sometimes surgery for severe cases [18].
So you can easily manage lipedema if you know what should you eat on this diet.
Foods to Eat on The Lipedema Diet
- Foods with High Healthy Fats: Foods with saturated and monounsaturated fats like olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, lard, and butter) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats from marine sources like salmon can provide the energy you need on this diet [19]
- Foods with High Protein: Foods like eggs and lean cuts of meat like chicken, turkey, lean cuts of beef or pork, tofu, and tempeh are important for muscle health and can be part of a balanced diet [20].
- Foods High in Potassium: Potassium can help counterbalance the effects of sodium and promote healthy fluid balance in the body. Foods like bananas, avocados, spinach, and sweet potatoes are excellent sources of potassium [21].
- Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation [22].
- Dairy (In Moderation): Full-fat yogurt and cheese can provide healthy fats and essential nutrients like protein [23].
- Herbs and Spices: Cilantro, basil, rosemary, and thyme can enhance the flavor of foods without adding excess calories or sodium [24].
- Turmeric and Ginger: Both have anti-inflammatory properties [25].
- Hydrating Foods: Watermelon, cucumber, and celery can help hydration and support the lymphatic system.
To achieve the goals of a Lipedema Diet and improve your health, you need to avoid foods with artificial additives like sweets with lots of unnatural sugars or processed foods full of unhealthy fats.
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Foods to Avoid on The Lipedema Diet
- Sugary Foods: Avoid sugary foods like candies, sodas, and desserts with added sugars. Excess sugar can cause weight gain and spikes in blood sugar levels, which can be problematic for people with lipedema. Instead, choose natural sweeteners like honey or fresh fruits [26].
- Processed Foods: Chips, cookies, and fast food usually contain unhealthy trans fats and saturated fats and can cause inflammation and weight gain. Instead, try foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains [27].
- Foods High in Sodium: Sodium can cause water retention and bloating, which can worsen the symptoms of lipedema, such as swelling. Some common sources of high-sodium foods are processed meats, canned soups, and fast food. These foods are often loaded with sodium to enhance flavor and preserve shelf life [28].
- Inflammatory Foods: Processed sugars, refined grains, and unhealthy fats can cause chronic inflammation and worsen lipedema symptoms like pain and swelling. Instead, include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, such as fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries [29].
If you’re having a lipedema problem, you can start with this sample 7-day meal plan for the Lipedema Diet.
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Lipedema Diet 7-Day Meal Plan
Here is a sample 7-day meal plan to start the Lipedema Diet. You can always modify this plan according to your body's needs and diet goals, but remember that you can only include the foods allowed in this diet.
Day 1
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with berries and a sprinkle of chia seeds
- Lunch: Grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and olive oil dressing
- Dinner: Baked salmon with roasted vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots)
Day 2
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with sliced bananas and a handful of almonds
- Lunch: Turkey and avocado wrap with whole-grain tortilla and a side of raw veggies
- Dinner: Stir-fried tofu with brown rice and a variety of colorful vegetables
Day 3
- Breakfast: Smoothie with spinach, berries, almond milk, and a scoop of protein powder
- Lunch: Quinoa salad with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette
- Dinner: Grilled shrimp with sweet potato wedges and steamed broccoli
Day 4
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with sautéed spinach
- Lunch: Lentil soup with a side of mixed greens
- Dinner: Baked chicken breast with quinoa
Day 5
- Breakfast: Cottage cheese with sliced peaches and a drizzle of honey
- Lunch: Avocado and chickpea salad with cherry tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette
- Dinner: Turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles and marinara sauce
Day 6
- Breakfast: Whole-grain toast with smashed avocado and poached eggs
- Lunch: Spinach and feta-stuffed chicken breast with a side of roasted sweet potatoes
- Dinner: Grilled fish tacos with cabbage slaw and a squeeze of lime
Day 7
- Breakfast: Berry and kale smoothie with a scoop of Greek yogurt
- Lunch: Quinoa bowl with black beans, corn, avocado, and salsa
- Dinner: Baked cod with lemon and herbs, served with quinoa and steamed asparagus
You can see the average nutritional values for the above meal plan in the following table:
| Day | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Calories (kcal) | Fiber (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|
| 1 |
65 |
30 |
670 |
17 |
38 |
15 |
| 2 |
67 |
34 |
693 |
12 |
35 |
16 |
| 3 |
72 |
35 |
700 |
14 |
34 |
14 |
| 4 |
69 |
32 |
684 |
15 |
36 |
17 |
| 5 |
75 |
36 |
695 |
11 |
33 |
19 |
| 6 |
71 |
38 |
712 |
16 |
37 |
14 |
| 7 |
68 |
35 |
703 |
15 |
39 |
15 |
The Lipedema Diet is not the only diet to treat or alleviate the symptoms of lipedema. You can also follow the RAD diet, which is a more strict approach with some differences.
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The Lipedema Diet vs. The Rad Diet
RAD (Rare Adipose Disorders) diet is a more strict version of the Lipedema Diet with more focus on managing blood sugar and blood pressure levels [30]. To choose the right approach, you should consult a healthcare professional, especially an expert in lipedema. Also, consider your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Both the Lipedema Diet and the RAD Diet aim to manage lipedema through dietary changes, but they have some key differences in their
- Structure
- Nutritional Focus, and
- Protein and Fat Consumption.
The following table summarizes the differences between the Lipedema Diet and the RAD Diet:
| Differences | Lipedema Diet | RAD Diet |
|---|
| Structure |
More flexible with promoting whole and healthy foods |
More strict and targets inflammation by cutting out specific foods like red meat |
| Nutritional Focus |
Focuses on general healthy eating principles |
Focuses only on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and low glycemic index foods |
| Protein and Fat Consumption |
Supports animal protein and fats |
Limits animal protein and fats, especially red meat |
Structure
The Lipedema Diet is more flexible and open to individual needs and preferences, with general principles for healthy eating, but the RAD Diet is more strict with specific guidelines, and meal plans.
For example, the RAD diet eliminates red meat and processed meats in the initial phase and only allows lean white meat (chicken, turkey) and fish (salmon, tuna) in moderation. It also focuses on organic vegetables, fruits, and whole grains [31][32].
Nutritional Focus
The Lipedema Diet focuses on whole foods, limited processed foods, and healthy fats. However, the RAD Diet emphasizes only anti-inflammatory foods, antioxidant-rich options, and low glycemic index foods [33][34].
Protein and Fat Consumption
The RAD Diet limits animal protein and fats more than the Lipedema Diet. In the RAD diet, the main idea is to eat less animal protein and fats, especially fatty red meat, in the beginning, to avoid gaining body fat [35].
The reason is the fat is absorbed directly into the lymphatics. This diet does not apply to all those who experience lipedema, but it can be suitable for those who have very high fat.
Summary
Managing lipedema can be challenging, but it can be controlled effectively with a simple approach, the Lipedema Diet, which focuses on healthy fats and anti-inflammatory foods.
By consuming these foods, your body is pushed to burn fats for energy which provides a potential way to control and prevent lipedema.
If you've had lipedema for a while, keep in mind that starting this diet might not be enough because it's not a cure. You need to consult a healthcare professional first and receive the necessary medications.
