Reducing belly fat takes time and effort, but a few easy food swaps can help flatten your stomach in just a few days. Jump-starting your healthy diet and exercise program with these food swaps can inspire you to stay on track. Losing excess belly fat will improve your looks and your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, visceral fat, or fat located deep inside surrounding the organs, increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high-blood pressure and other diseases.
Avoid Gas-Forming Foods
Many foods that have excellent nutrient value also have an excellent potential to cause gas and bloat. When trying to get the stomach flat quickly, it is best to avoid gas forming foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and beans. Opt for foods like bananas, eggs, rice and yogurt which do not cause bloat and are easily digested.
Eat MUFAs
Monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, help decrease belly fat according to a study published in the July 2007 "Journal of Diabetes Care". MUFA-rich foods such as avocados, oils, olives, nuts, seeds and dark chocolate should be eaten with every meal for belly flattening benefits. MUFA portion size should be small to avoid excess calories.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is a vital nutrient to the body and essential for maintaining bodily functions. Choosing water over sugary drinks will save you daily calories and help decrease water weight and belly bloat. Keeping your body properly hydrated also helps prevent kidney stones, cancer of the bladder and urinary tract and other diseases.
References
- Mayo Clinic: "Belly Fat in Women: How to Keep it Off"
- "Journal of Diabetes Care"; Monounsaturated Fat--Rich Diet Prevents Central Body Fat Distribution; Juan A. Paniagua González et al; Mar. 2007
- IDEA Fitness Journal: "The Science Of Water: Nature's Most Important Nutrient"; Len Kravitz, Ph.D., November 2008
Member Comments