10 Foods To Avoid If You Want To Lose Belly Fat. Many people battle with losing weight around the mid-section. If that is the case with you, heed the saying that, ‘You Are What You Eat.’ Make some changes around your diet and in time your will lose belly fat, and flaunt your hot body. It is also good for your health that you trim that belly.
1. Potato chips
Most potato chip brands are cooked in trans-fat. Trans-fat is known to increase cholesterol, contribute to heart disease and increase weight. Chips that don’t contain hydrogenated oil may have high amounts of fat from other oils they’re fried in. There are baked and low fat potato chips on the market that make better choices. However, be aware of the calorie count. High calories still contribute to belly fat.
2. Processed Meat
Meat can be a healthy part of your diet. It supplies your body with large amounts of protein for maintained energy levels and new muscle cell production. However, processed meats that are high in saturated fat (yes, that includes bacon) aren’t your healthy-lifestyle friends. Instead, look to plant proteins or lean meats like grilled chicken and fish to fulfill your daily quota.
3. Processed Baked Goods
Those pre-packaged mini muffins, doughnuts, and dessert cakes will add tons of calories and loads of unwanted sugar to your diet, plus they aren’t easy to digest. These foods are filled with high sugar content and preservatives for a longer shelf-life. Sugar increases inflammation, which is not only bad for you but can also make you look puffy and bloated.
4. Soft Drinks
Soda is not only unhealthy for you, it increases belly fat. It has empty calories that add excess weight and also provides large amounts of sugars. This sugar comes in the form of fructose and other additives. Your body has a hard time burning this sugar off, especially in the mid-section. Diet soft drink also contain artificial sweeteners that contribute to bad health.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol makes your body feel bloated. Also, it can throw the body’s balance of water off and lead to water retention and excessive stomach gas. It is important to understand that alcohol-water retention, especially if combined with high salt meals, can lead to swelling and discomfort if the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream becomes too high.
6. Fried Foods
Deep fried chicken and french fries taste good, but they will not do your stomach any favor. Fast food, for example, is usually greasy and has very little vitamins and minerals or fiber. Instead, it is loaded with sodium and trans-fat which manifests itself in your stomach. If you must have fast food, choose more healthy options from the menu.
7. Margarine
Choose a small amount of regular butter or soft spread over margarine when topping foods or baking! Margarine is usually loaded with trans-fat and is found in plenty of pastries, crackers, snack foods, and even microwave popcorn, so limit intake to keep cholesterol levels in check.
8. White Flour and Rice
Try to cut back on the white carbs if you are truly determined to see your belly vanish. Trade your white bread, flour, rice, and pasta for whole grain products such as brown bread and rice. White carbs have already been processed and are therefore digested rapidly by the body to be stored as fat.
9. Cereals
Cereals are not necessarily bad for you, but some people usually double the serving size which means more is eaten than the box actually recommends. So if you find that your pants are getting a bit snug in the mornings, you might want to try weighing your cereal with a measuring cup before you start to gulp it down. Also choose a nut milk like almond milk, and avoid the temptation to add sugar.
10. Refined sweeteners and sugar
Refined sugar helps to raise the insulin level in the body which promotes the storage of fat. It also affects the immune system and makes it harder to fight off germs and diseases.
