The difference between the Flat Belly Diet and other popular plans is that in just a few short days, belly fat disappears. In other diet plans, even when weight loss is quick, stomach distension may not disappear at such a rapid rate. The authors of "The Flat Belly Diet" contend that the right combination of essential fats with every meal encourages a flat stomach and reduces bloating.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
The Flat Belly Diet promotes and recommends five categories of monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs. The five MUFA categories are oils, olives, nuts and seeds, avocados and dark chocolate. These fats remain liquid at room temperature, but since they are highly perishable, they should be refrigerated. MUFAs solidify in the refrigerator. According to the American Medical Association, in randomized trials, those who consumed complex carbohydrates, protein and monounsaturated fatty acids experienced significantly greater weight loss over a 12-week period than those who consumed saturated fatty acids. In addition to having a MUFA with every meal of the day, the Flat Belly Diet plan recommends eliminating saturated fats from the diet.
The Anti-bloat Jump Start
The first four days on the Flat Belly Diet begin with drinking sassy water, which is created by combining filtered water with 1 tsp. freshly grated ginger root, one medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced, one medium lemon, thinly sliced and 12 mint leaves combined and refrigerated overnight. According to FlatBellyDiet.com, the fresh ginger in the sassy water recipe will help calm and soothe the digestive track. During the anti-bloat jump start portion of the program, participants are encouraged to drink sassy water daily and to follow the meal plans exactly, eating four meals each day. To avoid creating abdominal bloating, avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea, hot cocoa and acidic fruit juices.
Basic Meal Plan
After the anti-bloat phase of the plan, the basic meal plan consists of three rules to eat by for the next 28 days. They are to consume 400 calories for each meal, never go longer than four hours between each meal and eat a MUFA at every meal. According to the authors of "The Flat Belly Diet," meals are categorized as breakfast, lunch and dinner, but ingredients can be swapped from one meal to another if the items are within the same food group. For example, a swap of turkey for chicken is acceptable, just as a swap of tomato slices for red pepper slices is acceptable. However, the exception is that a MUFA cannot be deleted from one meal and doubled at another meal.
Physical Exercise is Optional
The authors of "The Flat Belly Diet" suggest taking a five-minute walk after each meal during the initial four-day anti-bloat phase. Moving the body after meals helps release any trapped air in the GI tract and will relieve pressure and bloating. Although there are physical exercise plans referred to during the program, they are not mandatory to for weight loss or to experience a flatter belly. The exercises that are recommended are mental exercises, or mind tricks, that help create focus and help participants feel special. Part of the mental exercises includes keeping a food journal. The journal becomes part of the meal plan since it is important to record every food item consumed during the Flat Belly Diet plan.
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