Polyunsaturated Diets for Belly Fat

Polyunsaturated Diets for Belly Fat
Photo Credit Bottle of Olive Oil image by kellykramer from Fotolia.com

Eating fat is essential to getting your metabolism to work properly and burning off extra weight. When eating fats, it is important to differentiate between the various types. FitnessMagazine.com recommends replacing the unhealthy trans and saturated fats in your diet with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, which are found in olives, olive oil, salmon and nuts.

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet has gained popularity over recent years for helping people lower their risk of heart disease. The diet incorporates the eating habits practiced in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. MayoClinic.com reports that while the diet recommends eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and lean protein, it also advocates eating foods that contain polyunsaturated fat, which consist of mostly olive oil and nuts. The abundance of healthy foods and lack of processed sugars and simple carbohydrates are beneficial for reducing stubborn belly fat. The Clinic also states that eating these foods will reduce your risk of heart disease, cardiovascular mortality, cancer, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

The Abs Diet

The Abs Diet, which is best known for reducing belly fat, also favors incorporating foods that contain polyunsaturated fats. According to WomensHealthMag.com, this eating plan also emphasizes that the body needs fat to optimize the metabolism as well as ward off several diseases.

The Abs Diet has a list of recommended superfoods said to maximize nutrients and health. On that list are foods that contain polyunsaturated fats, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts peanut butter and olive oil. WomensHealthMag.com reports that these foods help provide energy while also preventing against obesity by encouraging the body to function properly.

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was developed by a cardiologist from South Beach, Florida, in order to help his patients reduce their risk of heart disease. MayoClinic.com reports that the South Beach Diet also suggests eliminating foods that quickly turn to fat in the body, such as sugars, white flour and white rice, and instead advises opting for foods that provide fuel, keep your metabolism burning and ward off dangerous diseases. Like other diets that aim to reduce belly fat as well as prevent heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, the South Beach Diet advocates incorporating polyunsaturated foods, such as olive oil and nuts, into your daily meal plan.

References

Article reviewed by Lauren Fritsky Last updated on: Sep 2, 2010

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