Creating a slim tummy is beneficial to your health if you currently have a little pooch in your midsection. Excess belly fat has been linked to chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even cancer. By making changes to your current eating habits, you will reduce these risks and boost your self image.
Calorie Reduction
Overall calorie reduction is an important part of slimming down your tummy. This needs to be done when you want to lose weight at any location on your body. The best approach to take is to determine your current daily intake and reduce it by 500 to 1,000 calories. This will promote 1 to 2 lbs. of weight loss on a weekly basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To find your starting intake, spend one day tracking all of your food and liquid calories. Utilize an online calorie counter if you need help.
Quality Calories
The quality of the calories you consume is an important factor when it comes to losing your tummy fat, even if you are eating less. Steer clear of foods that are high in saturated fat, sugar and sodium, such as deep fried onion rings, burgers, french fries, doughnuts and muffins. Instead, choose foods that have high nutrient values like fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean beef, fish, chicken breasts, whole grains and beans.
Frequent Eating
Eating a large meal, then waiting for an extended period of time until your next meal can cause you to become ravenous. You then run the risk of overeating. To prevent this from happening, eat small meals throughout the day. This will not only keep you feeling satisfied, but it can also give your metabolism a boost. Eat a meal every two to three hours and balance each one out with protein and complex carbohydrates. Low-fat cottage cheese with crushed pineapple is a good balanced meal, for example.
Healthy Drinking
Drinking unhealthy beverages can put a damper on your plan to lose belly fat. Calories are still calories, even in the form of liquids. Sweetened teas, slushies, lemonade, processed fruit drinks, beer, wine and soda are all high in empty calories. Choose water as your main beverage to keep your calories down and hydrate your body. By drinking a glass of water with your meals, you can also help fill yourself up. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women drink about 90 oz. a day and men get about 120 oz.
Breakfast
Something as simple as eating breakfast can go a long way when it comes to slimming down the tummy. Eating breakfast gets you on track to make healthy choices all day according to the Mayo Clinic's website. This will help you stay on track with your eating habits. Prepare something that is balanced and healthy like a whole grain bagel with peanut butter spread across it.
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