When
it comes to fighting belly fat and achieving the flat belly you’ve
always desired, a calorie is not just a calorie. In fact, certain foods
can actually trigger your body to store more belly fat!
The good news is that certain foods can also actually help your body
to melt stubborn belly fat at lightning speed, helping you to achieve
your goals in no time! When you know the best foods to burn belly fat,
you can start incorporating them into your favorite breakfasts, lunches,
and dinners to maximize your weight loss efforts.
Chia seeds
Have you heard of the Chia Pet? Well, chia seeds aren’t just for
growing house plants. In fact, these tiny seeds are one of nature’s top
belly-fat fighters! Chia seeds are among the best plant-based sources of
omega-3 fatty acids, which help to metabolize belly fat, as well as
reduce circulating levels of stress hormones that trigger fat storage.
So, how do you eat chia seeds? You can add them to everything from
smoothies to salads to yogurt. You can add them to your favorite
breakfast cereal or even use them to thicken soups and gravies! Aim to
consume about 1 tablespoon of chia seeds per day. They’re available in
most grocery stores and health food stores.
Blueberries
These tart little berries aren’t called “blue dynamos” for nothing!
Blueberries contain one of the highest antioxidant levels of all
produce, making them terrific at decreasing unhealthy inflammation that
may be triggering belly fat storage.
In addition, one study found that a diet rich in blueberries was
shown to help significantly reduce abdominal fat. The same study found
that this powerful fruit may lower triglyceride levels and improve
insulin sensitivity — in other words, blueberries may help to fight
heart disease and type 2 diabetes!
So, don’t be stingy when adding blueberries to your
meals. They’re great alone, but they can also be baked into pancakes and
muffins, and even added to stuffing. In addition, blueberries make a
great topping for pork and poultry dishes.
Yogurt
Yogurt probably seems like more of a standalone food, but don’t be
fooled. Yogurt can easily be incorporated into everything from soups to
salads and even marinades. It can add a tasty, rich flavor to a meal, as
well as help to shrink your waistline! Diets rich in dairy have been
shown to be effective in reducing body fat, especially in the midsection
(in part, due to calcium’s crucial role in regulating how fat is stored
and broken down by the body).
Dairy products are also rich in the amino acid
arginine, which has been shown to help promote fat loss and increase
muscle mass. So, start incorporating more yogurt in your diet today!
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed full of vitamin C. When the stress hormone
cortisol is chronically elevated in the body, you can experience
increased fat storage in the abdominal area. However, research has shown
that vitamin C helps reduce stress levels and return the stress hormone
cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. This reduction
in cortisol may help to prevent increased belly fat storage. So, mash
them, bake them, or even make baked sweet potato fries to gain the
benefits!
Grapefruit
A recent study found that when obese adults consumed half a
grapefruit or 4 ounces of 100 percent grapefruit juice before three main
meals, they experienced a significant decrease in both body weight and
waist circumference. This may be due to the high water content of the
grapefruit helping them to feel satisfied and reduce their portions of
other foods.
One extra belly fat–fighting benefit of grapefruit: It
contains diuretic properties, helping you shed unwanted water weight,
which can bloat your belly.
Hot peppers
Rich in capsaicin, this spicy vegetable can give your metabolism a
boost, helping you to shed unwanted pounds, especially in the
midsection. In addition, capsaicin has been found to help relax blood
vessels, reducing blood pressure. Animal studies have also indicated
that capsaicin may decrease insulin resistance, which means that this
spicy seasoning may help improve blood sugar control, reducing the risk
of type 2 diabetes.
Red wine
Alcohol is an integral part of many celebrations, but it’s also
packed full of excess calories that can pack on the pounds. When you’re
drinking alcohol, your best option is red wine because it’s rich in
resveratrol. Resveratrol has been shown to suppress levels of the
hormone estrogen.
High levels of estrogen in your body promote increased
fat storage, so suppressing them may decrease body fat while helping to
increase lean muscle mass. Keep alcohol in moderation, with no more than
one glass per day for women and two glasses per day for men. (A glass
of wine is equal to 4 ounces.)
