Tired of Stubborn Belly Fat? Here's What You Need to Ditch From Your Diet
Having a flat belly is the holy grail for both fitness junkies and the average Jane, but for most, it seems to be an unattainable goal. But it doesn't have to mean that you are stuck with your muffin top forever. In fact, there's a simple science behind acquiring a flat belly, and it doesn't require you to do 300 sit-ups a day. If you're wondering how to firm up that belly fat before Summer comes around, we've got you covered.
We spoke with Dr. Josh Axe, D.N.M., C.N.S., D.C., founder of Ancient Nutrition and DrAxe.com, and he offered some valuable tips about the importance of nutrition when trying to acquire a flat belly. "Focus on eating real foods, especially veggies, when you're learning how to lose belly fat. This will help not only get rid of the unwanted visceral fat but also give your body the vital nutrients it needs to function properly. Believe me, you'll feel and see the difference when you make the switch from fake foods to healthy real foods."
Along with cutting out processed foods, Dr. Axe recommends eating mindfully and intermittently. He explains that intermittent fasting especially can be incredibly beneficial and "is best approached as a shift in lifestyle and eating patterns, not a diet. Simply focus on extending the duration of time between eating the healthy foods you already eat, with a particular emphasis on healthy fats and proteins." He also advocates for avoiding sugars. Dr. Axe said, "Sugar is really bad for you. And you especially want to avoid added sugar when you are trying to reduce belly fat — even hidden sources of sugar like sweetened dairy, juices, or packaged snacks made with grain."
Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics, also recommends avoiding sugars/carbohydrates for a leaner midsection. He explained, "If you're trying to burn belly fat, the most important thing you need to cut out of your diet completely is carbohydrates — especially refined carbs such as white breads and pasta. Not only will these almost immediately make you gain weight (and in all the wrong places), but they ironically make you hungrier as well. So by cutting carbs out, you can help your body lose a lot of water weight, reduce your appetite, and notice significant weight loss in a relatively short space of time." Simply tweaking your dietary lifestyle and cutting out carbs will go a long way in helping you get that flat belly!
