What Are The Five Things Not To Eat That Will Cause Belly Fat?

Some foods can easily be stored as fat by your body. Although the part of your body where this fat will be stored depends on your genetic make-up, avoiding the foods that are likely to be converted to fat can help you keep your stomach flat. To avoid gaining belly fat, stay away from the five categories of foods that are rich in refined carbs and omega-6 fatty acids.

Bagels, Bread and Muffins

Bagels, bread and muffins are most often made from white and refined flours. These foods contain little fiber or important nutrients that can help you feel satisfied after eating and their high carbohydrate content can promote overeating. A regular bagel or muffin each provides the equivalent of carbohydrates found in four slices of bread, while a foot-long sub can contain eight to 10 slices of bread, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. Extra carbohydrates can easily be converted to fat and stored in your belly.

Soft Drinks and Sugary Coffees

To keep your belly flat, avoid calories that come from liquids, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices and punches as well as sugary coffees. Liquid calories are not satisfying and can make you crave more sugar. The sugar these sugary beverages contain can easily be stored around your waist.

Cookies, Cakes and Desserts

Most desserts are high in carbohydrates, both from the starches contained in the white flour and the sugars from the added sweeteners. In addition, many desserts are prepared with oils that have a high omega-6 content, such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil or corn oil, which are associated with weight gain, according to a study published in the September 2009 issue of "Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology."

Potatoes, Pasta and Rice

Potatoes, pasta and rice are huge sources of carbohydrates for most people in the U.S. The high concentrations of insulin that your body releases after eating an excessive amount of carbohydrates promote fat storage. A normal bowl of spaghetti or Asian-style stir-fry containing 2 to 3 cups of cooked pasta or rice provides the equivalent of six to nine slices of bread. A large baked potato or a regular serving of french fries each has the equivalent of four slices of bread.

Omega-6-Rich Vegetable Oils

Omega-6 fats are not necessarily bad, but if they are present in disproportionate quantities in your diet compared to the amount of omega-3 you consume, they can contribute to inflammation and excess belly fat, according to a study published in the September 2009 issue of "Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology." Avoid safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and soybean oil and do not eat foods made from these oils to lower your intake of omega-6 fats. Read food labels to identify the oil used in your favorite products.