If you’re getting ready for the summer, you’re probably interested to know how you can trim your mid-section. All that food you’ve consumed since the holidays has caused your waist to expand a few inches and you’re determined to get rid of it so you can show off your beach body.
Well, you’re in luck. In this article we’re going to share 6 specific foods you can eat to help you achieve a flat belly. But keep in mind that consuming these alone without exercising or being mindful of your diet won’t magically help you slim down. So be sure to incorporate proper diet and exercise into your daily routine if you want to succeed at getting rid of belly fat.
1. Quinoa
Whole-grain products are really good at helping you cut down fat in your abdomen and it’s particularly true for those who choose quinoa over cereals and white rice.
2. Green Tea
Green tea contains catechin, a powerful antioxidant known to boost metabolism. A group of Japanese researchers found people who consumed 690 mg of catechins from green tea on a regular basis had significantly lower BMIs and smaller waists than those who didn’t.
3. Kefir
Kefir is kind of like a protein-packed smoothie. This delicious dairy product is rich in probiotics that aid in weight loss. The active organisms in kefir boosts the breakdown of fat molecules and may prevent you from gaining weight.
4. Avocado
Now you may be wondering why something that contains lots of fat is in this list. Well, this Mediterranean-diet staple is actually filled with healthy monounsaturated fats, which have been linked to weight loss. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study which suggested that the Mediterranean diet was more effective than a diet that avoided fats altogether!
5. Eggs
Maintaining a diet high in protein has been found to burn more calories. Protein enhances metabolism, and guess what food is rich in protein? Eggs! Be sure to start your day with boiled, scrambled, or poached eggs.
6. Grapefruit
Adding grapefruit to your meals can enhance weight loss. That’s because the acidity in grapefruit slows down digestion, enabling you to feel fuller and satiated for longer. As a result, you won’t have food cravings and hunger pangs throughout the day.
Foods That Cause Belly Fat
Here are 6 foods and drinks to avoid if you’re trying to lose belly fat:
1. Sugary Drinks
Sweet liquids like fruit juices, sodas, shakes, and flavored coffees contain a very high amount of sugar and calories. When you have a surplus intake of the daily calories this will lead to undesired weight gain.
2. Baked Foods
Cakes, pies, pastries, cookies and all those baked goodies contain a lot of sugar and are filled with unhealthy fat. Trans fats are said to have a major influence in the cause of obesity in mice.
3. French Fries
Fried foods are filled with unhealthy fats and salt and this is especially true for French fries. Most restaurants deep fry their fries so that they’ll turn out crispy. It’s advisable to avoid eating French fries as well as other fried foods regularly.
4. Cracker And Chips
Chips and crackers are processed foods which means they’re loaded with calories and also contain fat and salt.
5. White Bread
White breads are made from refined wheat flour which is rich in simple carbohydrates but lacking in other essential nutrients like fiber.
6. Beer
There’s a reason why we call it “beer belly.” Those who frequently drink beer end up with a bulge in their mid-section. Beer contains lots of calories and oftentimes people who drink beer don’t stop with one bottle, right? Let’s say the average calorie content in a regular beer (12 oz) is 150. If you consume four bottles/cans, then that’s easily 600 calories!