To get six pack abs, what you eat is even more crucial that how you train. To see those abdominal muscles you have been working so hard on, you must lose any fat around your middle. The number of calories you consume, the number of calories you burn and the foods you eat all contribute to the distribution of belly fat. Certain foods can help the body burn energy from fat stores, and adding these foods to your healthy eating plan will have you showing off your six pack abs fast.
Eat Your MUFAs
MUFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids, are essential fats that help brain, liver and other bodily functions. A 2007 study published in the "Journal for Diabetes Care" reported that eating a diet high in MUFAs will decrease central body fat distribution, simply put, burn belly fat. Foods that are high in MUFAs, nuts and seeds, olives, oils, avocados and dark chocolate are easy to integrate into your diet. For ultimate six pack abs, add one MUFA to every meal and keep the portion size small; 10 olives, 1 tbsp. of oil, 2 tbsp. nuts or seeds, 2 oz. of 70 percent or higher dark chocolate.
Spice Up Your Meals
Chilies, cayenne, turmeric and peppers all have thermogenic properties, which heat you up. This rise in heat creates a raise in metabolism to help your body with burning fat. Research conducted at Oxford Polytechnic Institute shows that the capsaicinoids found in peppers increases thermogenesis and that when you eat peppers with a meal, your body will burn calories about 25 percent faster. Add some spice to your meals to help raise metabolism, but do not overdo it--too much spice can cause stomach and gastric problems.
Chose Clean Foods
To burn fat with the foods you eat, you need to chose healthy, clean foods. Tosca Reno, author of the "Eat Clean Diet," explains that clean foods, foods which are in their most natural state and not processed or refined, provides the nutrients your body needs to run efficiently. When the body is running efficiently, it will naturally burn more calories from fat stores. This will help reveal those coveted six pack abs. For clean proteins, choose lean beef, chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, beans and legumes. Brown rice, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are all excellent choices for clean complex carbohydrates.
Stay Hydrated
The human body is up to 70 percent water. Your body needs water to survive and to function properly. When the body is well hydrated, it drives nutrients to your organs, oxygen to your cells and eliminate waste. Drinking water will help your body maintain a higher metabolism, burn fat more effectively and keep water weight off--including around your abs. Estimate how much water you need to drink daily by dividing your body weight in half, adding an additional 8 oz. for every 20 minutes of exercise. For example if you weigh 140 lbs., you will need to drink 70 oz. of water daily.
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