6 Foods to Make your Belly Flat

Posted by Christine on June 25th, 2009 at 03:05pm

Even though you’re exercising seven days a week, but you’re still eating those sugary foods, it’s not helping you get that flat belly. In order for that to happen you need to exercise, do those stomach crunches and eat the right foods. I have six foods that will help give you that flat summer belly.

1. Eggs

Per 1 large scrambled egg:
102 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)
7 g protein

People who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diet burn 71 more calories a day (that’s 7.4 pounds a year!). Jump start your metabolism as soon as you wake up with a protein-rich breakfast of scrambled eggs.

2. Kefir

Per cup:
174 calories
2 g fat
14 g protein
3 g fiber

Think of kefir as drinkable yogurt, or an extra-thick, protein-packed smoothie. In either case, this delicious dairy product is a belly-blasting essential. Beyond the protein, the probiotics in kefir may also speed weight loss; it helps boost the breakdown of fat molecules in mice, but researchers still need to prove the finding in humans, but there’s no danger in downing probiotic-packed products.

3. Quinoa

Per ¼ cup:
170 calories
2.5 g fat
7 g protein
3 g fiber

For starters, anytime you choose a whole-grain product over one made from nutrient-stripped white flour, you wage war against belly fat. Dieters who eat whole-grains lose twice as much belly fat as those who stick to white-flour products—even though they consume the same number of calories. Start your day off with a cup of cooked quinoa combined with a ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of blueberries—microwave for 60 seconds, and you have a delicious (and slimming) alternative to your traditional oatmeal.

4. Grapefruit

Per grapefruit:
104 calories
4 g fiber
2 g protein

A grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss. The fruit’s acidity slows digestion, meaning it takes longer to move through your system, and you’ll end up feeling fuller, and more satisfied, for longer. And the vitamin C-packed grapefruit works to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

5. Green Tea

0 calories

Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to increase metabolism. A study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams of catechins from green tea daily had significantly lower body mass indexes and smaller waist measurements than those in a control group. It’s safe to say that green tea is one of the best beverages for your health—a stark contrast to any of these 20 unhealthiest drinks in America. Avoid those belt-buckling drinks at all costs.

6. Avocado

Per avocado:
322 calories
29 g fat (4 g saturated, 20 g monounsaturated)
13 g fiber
4 g protein

It’s filled with healthy monounsaturated fats (also found in olive oil), which have been linked to lowered LDL cholesterol levels and weight loss. The healthy-fat Mediterranean diet was more effective than a diet that avoided fats altogether—so go ahead and indulge!

Try this great avocado and citrus salad recipe!

Tags: avocado and grapefruit salad, dieting, healthy foods

Under Diet Foods+ Fitness Tags: avocado and grapefruit salad, dieting, healthy foods