21 Jan Flat Belly Foods

In the past few months, I’ve been getting a surprising amount of questions about flat belly foods. The other day, I finally realized why. I was browsing the internet and seemed to be bombarded with ads that claim to unveil top secret flat belly foods. Is that list the same as mine? I’m going to guess no, but I couldn’t tell you for sure. I’m too scared to click on those spammy links.

You see, there are definitely foods that will help flatten your belly, but they’re not top secret; they’re also not magic. These foods will enhance your diet and exercise efforts, but not replace them.

Now, without further ado, here are the best foods you can consume to fight belly fat.

Green tea – According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, green tea, along with regular exercise, may help you lose weight overall. And if your weight is focused in your midsection, drinking green tea should help you melt those pounds away.

Anything with fiber – You know I’m a fan of fiber; the fact that it can help trim belly fat is just another bonus.

Popcorn – Are you surprised to see this one on the list? Actually, fiber is a whole grain, which has been shown in an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study to trim excess fat from the waistlines of obese study participants. Popcorn also contains fiber, so it’s a win-win. Just don’t slather on butter, oil or salt.

If you have excess belly fat, you’ve probably consumed too many calories. That’s the simple answer. Still, there are a few things that may have put you over the edge.

Alcohol has been known to help people collect fat around the midsection, and so has fast food. Fast food actually packs a double whopper (no pun intended; really, I swear). Not only are the meals typically filled with high-fat, calorie dense foods, but the type of fat is almost always trans fats. Trans fats are more likely to cause weight gain.

The bottom line: If you want to reduce belly fat (and who doesn’t), you have to make some simple changes to your diet. Reduce saturated fats (including trans fats), increase your intake of fruits and veggies and control your portion sizes. And to keep those pounds away, it’s also a good idea to exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes every day.