Looking to go from a FAT belly to a FLAT belly? Abdominal bloating and/or carrying unwanted weight around your midsection can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. To differentiate between the two, bloating is temporary abdominal distention that can be caused by a reaction to certain foods, lifestyle factors or a medical condition, such as liver or heart disease. Belly bloat is really intestinal gas, not excess fat. However, if you are overweight and want to flatten your belly for the long term, the only solution is to lose weight. Whether it’s gas or excess weight causing you tummy trouble, what you choose to put on your fork can help or hinder your goal of getting a flat belly. Read on to learn about 10 flat-belly foods to get you those lean abs you crave.
1.FENNEL SEEDS
Fennel is a pleasant-smelling herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. The name comes from the Roman word meaning “fragrant hay,” and it has a faint anise or licorice flavor and aroma. Dried fennel seeds are very nutritious, containing fiber, magnesium, calcium and iron, and they have long been used as a digestive aid. “Fennel helps to relax the GI [gastrointestinal] muscles, which helps trapped gas pass to alleviate bloating,” says Cynthia Sass, RDN, author of “S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches.” Sass recommends people chew on half a teaspoon of seeds after a meal or when their stomach feels distended due to gas buildup. “Or make a simple tea: Add a teaspoon of seeds to a cup of hot water, let steep for five minutes, strain out the seeds and sip,” Sass advises.
2.SALMON
Salmon packs a double punch when it comes to battling belly fat because it contains both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Salmon is an excellent source of vitamin D, with wild salmon providing about four times the amount of vitamin D as farmed salmon. Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D have been linked to obesity, including abdominal obesity. Scientists are not sure if the reason for this is that vitamin D gets trapped in the fat cells of obese people or if obese people don’t consume enough vitamin D. Either way, getting adequate vitamin D is essential for good health. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish can also help flatten your belly. Researchers believe omega-3 fatty acids may alter the expression of certain genes, shifting your body to burn fat rather than store it.
3.EGGS
If you want to lose some fat around the middle, eggs are a great way to start your day. Eggs are packed with protein, and eating them for breakfast provides staying power. A study published in Nutrition Research found that people who eat eggs for breakfast were less likely to overeat the rest of the day. Eggs also provide a myriad other nutrients to help keep your tummy trim. For example, they’re a good source of vitamin B12, a nutrient that helps your body break down fat cells. Eggs also provide the power nutrient, vitamin D. Insufficient blood levels of vitamin D have been linked to obesity, including abdominal obesity. Choline, another power nutrient in eggs, is known for playing a role in fat metabolism. Since the majority of these nutrients are found in the egg yolk, be sure to eat the whole egg for the most nutrition. If you are worried about the cholesterol in the yolk, a 2008 report from the ongoing Physicians’ Health Study supports the idea that eating an egg a day is generally safe for the heart. But talk to your doctor to determine what is best for you.
4.OLIVE OIL
Healthful monounsaturated fats found in olive oil could potentially switch on genes related to the burning and storage of fat. Monounsaturated fats also help control blood sugar levels, which play a key role in keeping hunger at bay and reducing fat accumulation around the midsection. A study in Diabetes Care showed that partial replacement of complex digestible carbohydrates with monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet of those with Type 2 diabetes helped maintain blood sugar levels and improve blood lipids. Dietary fat also increases satiety, which may help cut down overall calorie intake. Before you pour olive oil all over your food in the hopes of a slimmer waistline, keep in mind that a serving size of olive oil is one tablespoon, which has 120 calories.
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