How To Lose Belly Fat: Best Foods For Shedding Pounds

Belly fat is notorious for being hard to get rid of.

The countless workout routines designed specifically for losing belly fat is a testament to that fact. Many people struggle with trying to get rid of the pouch that has pooled around your stomach area and many have failed or given up. However, all hope is not lost as we’ve compiled a list of foods that help you fight belly fat.

The first step to losing belly fat is understanding it and what causes it. Belly fat is seen to be dangerous and is closely linked to heart disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance. However, the belly region is extremely prone to accumulating fat, and here are some of the reasons why.

Genes

Believe it or not, your genes play a big part in deciding body fat distribution. If you have a family history of obesity, you may be more prone to the accumulation of fat in your belly region

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes also play a major role in deciding body fat distribution. A hormonal imbalance could lead to increased hunger and stress levels, and slow metabolism, leading to accumulation of belly fat

Stress

When you are stressed, your cortisole levels increase. This increases food consumption and increases the risk of belly fat accumulation.

Lack of Sleep

Sleep deprivation could be to blame for your stubborn belly fat. Lack of sleep increases stress hormone production, which would lead to overall weight gain and inevitably, belly fat.

Sugary Foods and Beverages

Sugar-rich foods and beverages contain high amounts of preservatives, additives, and artificial colors. All of which are major contributors to the accumulation of belly fat

Alcohol

You’ve heard of the term “beer belly.” It should come as no surprise that one of the leading causes of belly fat is alcohol. Excess sugar from alcoholic drinks often lead to intestinal inflammation and inflammation-induced abdominal obesity.

Inactivity

One of the main contributors of belly fat is inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle could be to blame for that stubborn belly fat. Many people have been thrust into this lifestyle whether through desk jobs, or plain lethargy. This sedentary lifestyle contributes greatly to the rising cases of obesity and obesity-related diseases

Without further ado, here are some foods to help you fight belly fat.

Avocadoes

Avocadoes help you fight belly fat as the healthy fats found in the fruit help to thwart belly bloat. Avocadoes also help your body better absorb cancer-fighting compounds known as carotenoids.

Bananas

Bananas contain 422 milligrams of potassium, a mineral that can help in limiting the amount of belly swelling sodium found in your body

Yogurt

A cup of yogurt encourages the growth of good bacteria in your stomach. More good bacteria means less bugs that cause bloating. Additionally, yogurt helps stabilize your insulin which is the hormone that directs your body to store calories as fat.

Berries

Berries contain antioxidants which can improve blood flow, thus delivering increased oxygen to your muscles. This, in turn, can make cardio targeting the abdominal muscles easier to do. It’s a good idea to have some berries before your workout to get your muscles ready.

Chocolate Skim Milk

It’s best to have chocolate skim milk after your workout. The carbohydrates and protein in the milk promote muscle building and speed up your recovery.

Green Tea

Three cups a day of green tea has been proven to boost metabolism. There is also a compound in the tea called EGCG(Epigallocatechin Gallate), which makes it easier to burn fat.

Citrus

Vitamin C found in citrus produce has been proven to help you lose up to 30 percent more fat during exercise. Be sure to include fruits like oranges, lemons, and the like in your diet to help you lose that belly fat.

Whole Grains

Foods like oatmeal, bulgur, and brown rice contain fiber. This fiber helps in keeping your body’s insulin levels low. Additionally, it takes longer for your body to absorb and burn foods rich in whole grain, resulting in longer-lasting energy.