Let's Get Working on Some Belly Busters!
Eggs You won't find a more perfect protein source. Eggs are highly respected by dietitians because of their balance of essential amino acids (protein building blocks used by your body to manufacture everything from muscle fibers to brain chemicals). We like them because they keep our hands out of the cookie jar. Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that when people ate eggs in the morning, they felt less hungry throughout the day than when breakfast consisted of complex carbohydrates like bagels. "The protein and fat in the egg may be contributing to the feeling of satiety," says lead researcher Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, PhD. On average, you are recommended to have one egg a day, unless you have high blood cholesterol, in which case you should check with your doctor first. (One egg packs about 213 milligrams of cholesterol.) Almonds These delicious and versatile nuts contain filling protein and fiber, not to mention vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. They're also a good source of magnesium, a mineral your body must have in order to produce energy, build and maintain muscle tissue, and regulate blood sugar. "A stable blood-sugar level helps prevent cravings that can lead to overeating and weight gain," says David Katz, MD, a professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. But what makes almonds most interesting is their ability to block calories. Research indicates that the composition of their cell walls may help reduce the absorption of all of their fat, making them an extra-lean nut. An ounce a day (about 23 almonds), with approximately 160 calories in an empty Altoids tin will hold your daily dose perfectly. Soy Soybeans are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Plus, they're incredibly versatile. Snack on dry-roasted soybeans, toss shelled edamame into soups, and slip a spoonful of silken tofu into your morning smoothie. Liquid soy also makes a good meal replacement: A study from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that overweight subjects who drank a soy milk-based meal replacement lost more weight than those who consumed a traditional dairy-based diet drink. Twenty-five grams of whole (not isolated) soy protein daily will do the trick. Choose whole soy foods over products packed with "isolated soy protein" -- the latter may not provide all the benefits of whole soybeans. Apples A 2003 study in the journal Nutrition found that overweight women who consumed three apples or pears a day for three months lost more weight than their counterparts who were fed a similar diet with oat cookies instead of fruits. "A large apple has 5 grams of fiber, but it's also nearly 85 percent water, which helps you feel full," explains Elisa Zied, RD, author of So What Can I Eat?! (Wiley, 2006). Apples also contain quercetin, a compound shown to help fight certain cancers, reduce cholesterol damage, and promote healthy lungs. try an apple (or two) a day. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that the Red Delicious, Cortland, and Northern Spy varieties had the highest antioxidant activity. Blue Berries Most are loaded with fiber, every dieter's best friend. The more fiber you eat -- experts say that it's best to get between 25 and 35 grams every day -- the fewer calories you absorb from all the other stuff you put in your mouth. That's because fiber traps food particles and shuttles them out of your system before they're fully digested. Berries (and other fruits) are also high in antioxidants, which not only help protect you from chronic diseases like cancer but may also help you get more results from your workouts. "Antioxidants help improve blood flow, which can help muscles contract more efficiently," says Dr. Katz. try at least half a cup daily, or about 30 calories' worth. Don't limit yourself to the usual suspects, like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. If you can find them, add boysenberries, gooseberries, and black currants to the mix for excitement. Leafy Greens Their cancer-preventing carotenoids won't help shrink your waistline, but their low calorie count definitely will. One cup of spinach contains only about 40 calories, while a cup of broccoli has 55 calories and satisfies 20 percent of your day's fiber requirement. Most leafy greens are also a good source of calcium, an essential ingredient for muscle contraction. In other words, they help fuel your workouts. Have three servings daily. Keep a bag of prewashed baby spinach in your fridge and toss a handful into soups, salads, pasta dishes, stir-fries, and sandwiches. When you get sick of spinach, reach for a bunch of arugula, broccoli rabe, or broccolini, a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. Yogurt People who get their calcium from yogurt rather than from other sources may lose more weight around their midsection, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity. The probiotic bacteria in most yogurts help keep your digestive system healthy, which translates into a lower incidence of gas, bloating, and constipation, which can keep your tummy looking flat. One to three cups a day of low-fat or fat-free yogurt would be optimal. Choose unsweetened yogurt that contains live active cultures. Add a handful of fresh chopped fruit for flavor and extra fiber. Veggie Soup Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that people who ate broth-based (or low-fat cream-based) soups two times a day were more successful in losing weight than those who ate the same amount of calories in snack food. Soup eaters also maintained, on average, a total weight loss of 16 pounds after one year. "Plus, it's a simple way to get your vegetables," says Susan Kleiner, PhD, RD, author of Power Eating (Human Kinetics, 2001). Its recommended to have at least one cup of low-calorie, low-sodium vegetable soup every day. Salmon Seafood, especially fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. These uber-healthy fats may help promote fat burning by making your metabolism more efficient, according to Kleiner. An Australian study showed that overweight people who ate fish daily improved their glucose-insulin response. Translated, this means that seafood may help slow digestion and prevent cravings. If that doesn't hook you, consider this: Seafood is an excellent source of ab-friendly protein. Two four-ounce servings per week should be fine. Wild salmon, though pricey, contains more omega-3 fatty acids than farm-raised. (If it doesn't say wild, it's farm-raised.) If seafood's not your thing, you can get your omega-3's from flaxseed (grind and sprinkle on your cereal) or walnuts. Quinoa Never heard of it? Pronounced KEEN-wah, this whole grain contains 5 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein per half cup. Cook it as you would any other grain (although some brands require rinsing). Quinoa's nutty flavor and crunchy-yet-chewy texture are like a cross between whole wheat couscous and short-grain brown rice. Try at least one half-cup serving (a third of your whole-grain requirements) per day. Try substituting AltiPlano Gold brand instant quinoa hot cereal (160 to 210 calories per packet), in Chai Almond and Spiced Apple Raisin, for oatmeal. Look for it in health-food stores. Avocado The biggest key to eliminating belly fat is to avoid unhealthy saturated and trans fats and go for monounsaturated fats instead. Just half of an avocado contains 10 grams of monounsaturated fat, which helps control blood sugar spikes that can direct fat storage to the abdomen. Whole Grains Whole grains rich in insoluble fiber help you feel full longer, so you won’t give in to unhealthy temptations. They also help stabilize your blood sugar. Replace refined carbs like white rice and white bread with whole grains like oats, quinoa and brown rice, and you can decrease your belly fat over time. Beans The soluble fiber in beans, vegetables and fruits actually helps decrease visceral fat, which is the fat stored inside your body cavity around your organs. Visceral fat is more hazardous to your health than the subcutaneous fat found under the skin, and it can cause that beer belly look. Try to get at least 10 grams of soluble fiber per day from sources like pinto beans, green peas and apples. Bananas There’s a nasty rumor going around that bananas are fattening. Ignore it. One banana is a great snack at 105 calories, plus it’s rich in potassium, which aids muscle function. They’re low in fat, but contain enough starch to make you feel full. Grapefruit Flavonoids in citrus fruits can help the liver burn fat more efficiently, according to a recent study. Research found that the flavonoid naringenin normalized glucose metabolism in subjects with metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes. The grapefruit-derived compound seems to actually program the liver to burn up excess fat, opening the door to possible obesity treatments in the future. Pistachios Of all nuts, pistachios have the least calories, and they’re rich in fiber and healthy unsaturated fats. Two 2011 studies found that pistachios are a great snack choice for the weight-conscious for two additional reasons: unshelling them takes time, slowing down the snacking process, and the empty shells provide a visual cue as to how much you’ve already eaten. Blueberries A diet rich in blueberries may help reduce and prevent belly fat. Studies show that blueberries can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, which causes increased belly fat. Researchers believe the effect comes from the high level of phytochemicals that blueberries contain. Cinnamon Cinnamon has been found to help regulate blood sugar, preventing the spikes that cause belly fat to accumulate. Add it to a bowl of oatmeal and blueberries and you’ve got an ideal way to start your day. Olive Oil Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, which may help reduce abdominal fat. Eating fat to lose fat many not seem to make sense, but as long as you control your calories and replace those unhealthy fats (like butter), you should get noticeable results. Macadamia Nuts Like olive oil, macadamia nuts are rich in monounsaturated fat. The oil in macadamia nuts contains a high amount of palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fatty acid that has been found to assist in weight loss. Skinless Chicken Lean protein from sources like skinless chicken help speed up your metabolism, and help you avoid the types of dietary fat that cause abdominal fat storage. In combination with regular exercise, lean protein builds muscles, helping your body burn more fat even when you’re just sitting on the couch. Peanut butter Sure, peanut butter is loaded with calories, and you should definitely eat it sparingly. But what it does have is lots of monounsaturated fat, the good fat that helps your body trim down. With eight grams of protein per serving, peanut butter will also help you feel full longer, so you don’t overeat. Dark Chocolate What can’t dark chocolate do? It feels like a decadent treat, but it’s relatively low in sugar. And best of all, the mental boost that we get from dark chocolate reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes belly fat to accumulate. Sources: fittnessmagazine.com, sciencedaily.com
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