NOBODY wants a flabby or bloated belly and having one can increase your risk of a host of health problems. Excess fat puts pressure on the pancreas and other precious organs, so we have to be careful, to make sure that our waist stays at a safe size.
Sometimes it’s the food we eat that can cause that full, gassy feeling. Here’s a list of foods that may be contributing to your belly fat, so you may want to think about limiting or avoiding them.
1. Dairy products
Dairy products can be beneficial to your health in little amounts, but if they cause bloating after ingestion, you should avoid them. Lactose intolerance could be a problem for you. Substitute lactose-free or nut milk alternatives for cow’s milk, and restrict your cheese and yoghurt consumption.
2. 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. You may think that diet soft drink are better, but they also contain artificial sweeteners that contribute to bad health. It’s best to drink pure water to lose your belly fat.
3. Potato chips
One of your favourite snacks could be causing you to gain weight around your midsection. The majority of potato chip brands use hydrogenated oils to cook them. Snacks high in hydrogenated oils and trans-fat have been shown to raise cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease, as well as lead to stomach weight gain.
4. Baked treats that have been processed
If you want to lose belly fat, you should cut out processed baked items from your diet, you must say goodbye to everything from delicious doughnuts to meat pies, dessert cakes, and a variety of other foods. Sugar causes inflammation, which is not only harmful to your health but also makes you appear puffy and bloated.
5. Alcoholic beverages
Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration and water retention, which, as we previously explained, can make you feel bloated and puffy. Beers are high in calories but low in nutritional content, so they won’t help you get closer to a flat stomach.