When you are attempting to lose weight, you need to have discipline and you need to make some lifestyle modifications. To lose belly fat, you must create a caloric deficiency. This means you are expending more than you are taking in. Exercise is a must when it comes to this game plan. However, unless you couple it up with the avoidance of certain foods, you are going to defeat yourself.
Meats
Red meats are high in protein and iron, but they are also high in saturated fat and they should be avoided--especially when they are prepared in butter. Processed meats should also be avoided because they are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Examples of these include sausage, porketta, hot dogs, ham and cold cuts. Any type of deep fried chicken, turkey or meat should also be avoided. A single full-fat beef hot dog is about 150 calories, and that is not counting a bun, cheese, bacon or any other topping that gets put on it.
Fish
Fish is a good source of protein, but once it becomes breaded and deep fried or cooked in butter, it becomes high in fat and it should be avoided. This also goes for any type of seafood or shellfish that is breaded and deep fried. Examples of these are clams, shrimp and deep-fried fish.
Fast Food
Fast food consists of french fries, milk shakes, pastries, onion rings and burger sandwiches that can have anywhere from 1/4 to a 1/2 lb. of meat in them. These foods are high in empty calories and fat, and they should be avoided. A single fast food meal can have in excess of 1000 calories.
Carbs
Refined carbohydrates are high in sugar, calories, fat and they are low in fiber. These are the types of "bad" carbs that you should avoid. Commercial baked goods like doughnuts, cakes, cookies, pies and muffins are examples of these. You should also avoid candy, chips and white flour products that are low in fiber and nutrients. Examples of these are white bread, bagels and buns, and high-sugar cereals, cereal bars and toaster pastries. A medium sized glazed doughnut has approximately 400 calories and a jumbo sized muffin has more than 550 calories.
Beverages
Beverages that are high in sugar and calories should be avoided as they can still lead to fat gain on your belly. Examples of these are sweetened teas, soda, processed fruit juices and flavored lattes. Alcohol should especially be avoided. It comes in at 7 calories per gram and it has no nutritional value. A half liter (about 16 oz.) of regular beer comes out to about 185 calories. If you had four beers in a night, you would be consuming more than 700 liquid calories.
Dairy
Dairy products are high in calcium and protein, but they are also high in saturated fat and calories. Avoid whole milk, cheese, butter, sour cream and cream cheese. All of these come in low-fat versions if you want to keep your calories down. A single oz. of regular cheese comes out to just more than 100 calories.
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