What Diets Work Best for Belly Fat & Hip Fat?

What Diets Work Best for Belly Fat & Hip Fat?
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Many diet plans are marketed as quick methods to help you lose weight from stubborn body parts. In particular, many women seek dieting plans that help decrease belly fat and slim down the hips. Although these plans may help you reduce overall weight, there is no one proven method that will specifically target the fat in the stomach and hips. In general, a healthy diet combined with regular physical activity will help you lose weight and decrease total fat stores, including that of the belly and hips.

Calorie Intake

In order to achieve weight loss, you must create a caloric deficit. Essentially, the number of calories you take in should be less than the number you burn off in a day. Excess calories in any form of foods will lead to weight gain. Consult with your physician or a dietitian who can help ensure that your daily caloric intake meets your needs. Diets that are too low in calories are not a healthy method of fat loss as they often cause you to binge or overeat and lead to increased fatigue, difficulty in concentration and potential health risks.

Fruits and Vegetables

The foundation of a healthy diet plan for fat loss should center on fruits and vegetables. Produce is low in calories and has little to no fat, which helps avoid excess calories that contribute to weight gain. Fruits and vegetables are also high in water content and a source of dietary fiber, which fills you up to satisfy your appetite for fewer calories. Include at least five to 10 servings of a variety of fruits and veggies into your daily meal plan.

Fiber

Fiber is an essential component of a healthy diet and assists in weight loss. It is the part of plant foods that is neither digested nor absorbed in the body. Rather, it passes through the body for elimination. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion as it helps push undigested food and waste products through the digestive tract for excretion. It also bulks up stools for easier passage of bowel movements. Its digestive benefits contribute to the alleviation of common upsets such as constipation, flatulence and bloating. Progressively increase your intake of fibrous foods with fruits, vegetables and whole-grain complex carbohydrates.

Aerobic Exercise

A healthy diet plan should include regular physical activity to help increase the metabolism and burn extra calories. Contrary to belief, toning exercises alone such as abdominal sit-ups and leg lifts will not help you lose fat in those areas. Although they help to tone and develop the body's muscles, they won't be as evident if there's still a layer of fat over them. Rather, cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise is necessary to help burn off calories and increase fat burn. Perform aerobic exercise such as running, biking or swimming at least three to five days per week for 30 to 60 minutes. For increased fat loss, Incorporate high-intensity intervals into your workout by exercising hard for one to two minutes followed by two to three minutes of easier efforts.

References

Article reviewed by Marie Slade Last updated on: May 12, 2011

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