01.02.2025

Lipedema Column – Part 10

Nutrition for Lipedema: What Helped Me

The right diet can make a huge difference for lipedema. Many affected individuals have tried countless diets, such as low-carb or ketogenic diets, to relieve their symptoms.

With low-carb, carbohydrates are significantly reduced to keep blood sugar levels stable. While this helped me reduce water retention, it wasn’t a long-term solution that suited me.

The ketogenic diet goes even further: it relies almost entirely on fats and proteins to put the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat instead of carbohydrates.

However, not every diet is equally effective. I tested many approaches, and what helped me the most was an anti-inflammatory diet. This way of eating focuses on natural, unprocessed foods that reduce inflammation in the body and relieve the lymphatic system.

Following the motto: Back to natural foods.

Back to the roots

What is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet aims to support the body, promote circulation, and minimize inflammatory reactions.

Foods that help:

● Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (e.g., berries, leafy greens, broccoli)
● Healthy fats (e.g., avocado, olive oil, nuts, flaxseeds)
● High-quality proteins (e.g., legumes, tempeh, fish like salmon)
● Herbs and spices (e.g., turmeric, ginger, cinnamon)
● Lots of water, celery juice, and herbal teas for detoxification

Foods to avoid:

● Sugar and refined flour products
● Processed foods
● Dairy products (promote inflammation)
● Meat and processed meats
● Unhealthy fats, such as chips (trans fats, hydrogenated oils)
● Caffeine

My Experience

And Here’s How You Can Succeed!

The anti-inflammatory diet has positively changed my life—it's a long-term adjustment for an easier life with lipedema. It not only helps reduce pain but also improves overall well-being. The key is to start step by step and not to overwhelm yourself. Every small change counts!

For example, start by replacing refined sugar. Instead of white sugar, I use date sweetener (available at dm) for sweetening, baking, and cooking. It's a small change that can make a huge difference. Just give it a try 🙂

If you want to learn more, check out my posts on my profile @taliamenzel.

Wishing you all the best,
Talia