Are you having trouble losing your little belly a few weeks before summer? Be aware that some common foods can make you “bloat.” The list of products to eliminate.
Because we often expose our bodies more as summer approaches, the desire to feel comfortable in our body, in a swimsuit or in light clothing, becomes more pronounced. But winter excesses, such as raclettes and other cheese dishes, can also get noticed. How to reduce those love handles and other little bellies? By eliminating certain ingredients from our cupboards, say two nutrition experts. Explanations.
Foods to ban from your kitchen
Processed meat
First food to remove from the refrigerator: processed meat (sausage, chorizo, pancetta, bacon, etc.). Beyond the many health problems caused (excess salt and bad fats promote the appearance of colorectal cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.), it also contributes to the development of abdominal fat.
“Nitrites and nitrates used in processing cause inflammation, a key contributor to fat storage and chronic disease“, explains Dr Mrinal Pandit, dietician-nutritionist, in the columns of She Finds magazine.
Pastries
Croissant, pain au chocolat, apple turnover… It's hard to resist temptation when pastries sit on the kitchen worktop in the morning. However, these sweet treats should not be consumed regularly, especially when trying to lose belly fat.
According to Dr. Mrinal Pandit, baked goods and pastries “contain unhealthy ingredients that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin, contributing to increased fat storage, especially around the midsection of the abdomen“.
“Additionally, the high sugar and trans fat content of baked goods increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.” adds the expert.
What is the best alternative to these refined carbohydrates? Complex carbohydrates, such as black bread, for breakfast.
Fried foods
It can be especially hard to resist onions, French fries, and other fried chicken pieces. But if you are aiming for a flat stomach, it is better to avoid these foods which are acid bombs.gras trans” and lead to fat storage, warns Dr Pandit.
“Trans fats increase bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, leading to heart disease and stroke. she assures.
The high salt content of fried foods can also harm your health.
“Fried foods are high in sodium and can increase blood pressure. Cooking at high temperatures creates AGEs (advanced glycation products) linked to inflammation and accelerated aging. The high sodium content of fried foods may also contribute to inflammation and accelerated aging“, confides the expert.
Potato chips
As an aperitif, chips are often essential. But this snack is not beneficial for your body and stomach.
“Many chips are fried in unhealthy oils and covered in salt, making them very high in calories and unhealthy fats“, explains Joanna Wen, nutritional coach.
These chips contain little fiber, which delays the feeling of satiety… and encourages you to take a handful again.
The ICES
To lose belly fat, ice cream should be avoided.
“Ice cream is high in calories and often contains high amounts of added sugars, which can lead to weight gain“, warns Joanna Wen, emphasizing “that it often contains bad fats“.
Cookies
Another food to ban from your cupboards: cookies.
“Cookies are often loaded with sugars and white flour, which can cause blood sugar spikes and lead to belly fat storage“, explains Joanna Wen again.
Especially since it is rare to consume just one.
White bread
Finally, the trap food that sits on the table but is easy to forget: white bread. Sure, this processed food is handy for breakfast, but it's best to remove it from your diet if you want to lose belly fat.
As Dana Ellis Hunnes, dietician-nutritionist interviewed by Shefinds magazine, explains, these refined carbohydrates, without fiber and without nutritional benefits, “have many negative side effects on our health and belly fat is just one of them“Like chips, eating white bread can cause “rapid sugar spikes and inflammation, which hinder weight loss and harm health“.
However, there are several types of bread that you can still enjoy while losing weight, including whole wheat and sprouted varieties.
Slide: “Flat stomach” foods
