Whether we want it to accept it or not, there are few foods that, no matter what, go straight to our gut and cause what feels like almost instant weight gain. And it goes right where we don’t expect it. Yes, we’re talking about the feared fat that binds right to our belly.
This type of weight gain is called “deep fat tissue,” and it can even lead to diabetes, more severe heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Where your body stores calories depend on your hormones, and some unwholesome foods trigger just the exact proper hormonal reaction—they strike you in the gut. Literally. So which foods are some of the belly culprits? Here is a breakdown of the drinks and foods you might not even realize are causing you to gain unnecessary belly fat.
Foods You Overlooked That Are Triggering Belly Fat:
1. White Bread
If you’re thinking not all bread is worse, you’re correct. It’s extremely-refined, white bread that should be skipped when you’re striving to shed belly fat. Research has proven that taking whole grains can actually lower visceral fat deposits in our belly, but taking refined grains leads to more [1].
2. Diet Soda
If you aspire to get your beach body back, you should skip sugary beverages and replace them with diet variants, right? Sorry, but you’re wrong. Many trials have found an association between the intake of diet sodas and the broader waist size.
What’s more, diet soda drinkers have a greater percentage of belly fat than those who don’t drink the beverage, research in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society observed. Why? Experts believe diet soda drinkers may overestimate how many calories they’re “saving” and then overindulge.
Instead, drink some white tea. According to a Nutrition & Metabolism research, this brew blocks new fat cells’ development and supports the body break down stored fat. That means that even when you overeat, it’s difficult for your body to store the extra calories in your body.
[Also Read: How to Reduce Belly Fat With Diet]
3. Fruit Juice
It’s natural, and it’s loaded with Vitamin C—what could be wrong? Well, while hundred percent fruit juice is a better pick than sugary drinks, even the all-natural beverage still packs up to thirty-six grams of sugar per cup—about the same amount of sugar you would get if you ate four donuts.
What’s more, the majority of the sweetness in juice is due to fructose, a kind of sugar linked with visceral adipose tissue development—yes, that’s belly flab.
Instead, your smart choice is to stick with plain old water. But there’s a way to incorporate some flavor to those mugs of water. You can add fresh sliced fruit like grapefruit and oranges.
The secret, though, is to keep the peels on citrus peels, which are rich in the antioxidant d-limonene, a potent compound that helps eliminate toxins from your body and allows it to release stored visceral flab.
4. Rib-Eye Steak
Wait—don’t brandish your steak knife at us just yet! Research shows that consuming the proper cuts of steak can help whittle your waist. But rib-eye, along with New York Strip and T-bone, is one of the three fattiest cuts.
Experts of one study noted that eating a diet high in fresh, fatty, red meat is positively linked with abdominal obesity and broader waist size.
5. Chocolate
Let’s begin by making it clear that not all chocolate is worse. Dark chocolate is swimming in health advantages. According to research published in Heart, taking up to three and a half ounces of chocolate daily can help minimize your risk of cardiac disease [2].
Plus, it can help minimize belly fat! But it’s milk chocolate that is the issue. Milk chocolate bars are packed up with sugar and are generally packing loads of calories and counted among the foods that cause belly fat. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researchers found that the most associated food with an increase in weight was chocolate bars.
Just make sure to stay far from those bar milk chocolates!
[Also Read: Benefits of Dark Chocolate]
6. Canned Soup
Again, when it comes down to canned soups, you’re going to want to ensure you’re opting for the proper ones. See, there are umpteen soup options that sneak in a ton of sodium, which not only leads to belly bloat but actually can increase your appetite and hamper your ability to know when you’re full.
[Also Read: Fat Burning Soup With Recipes]
7. Potato Chips
In the contest to find the worst possible food for your tummy, researchers at Harvard believe they have a solution. It’s not just that potato chips are loaded with saturated fat, leading to abdominal fat gain. It’s not just that they’re layered with salt, leading to mid-level bloat.
It’s not even a pure calorie thing—there are plenty of extra caloric snacks out there. What makes potato chips so famously bad for your belly is not what they contain, but what they are lacking: the ability to make you feel satiated. A fistful of chips can turn into a large empty bag in an instant.
8. Frozen Coffee Drinks
Coffee by itself isn’t harmful to your waistline, but if you’re regularly sipping on frozen coffee beverages, then you’ve just met your issue. Many a time, these high-calorie drinks are loaded with dairy and sugar.
Plus, a study published in the 2017 issue of Public Health found that nearly seventy percent of coffee drinkers had their cup of coffee with caloric add-ins, including creamers and sugar.
[Also Read: Coffee for Weight Loss]
9. Pizza
Even if there are some vegetables sprinkled on top, it’s essential to keep in mind that pizza is still, in fact, well, pizza. It’s the 2nd largest contributor of saturated fat to the American diet (right after cheese itself), and many slices serve up to half a day’s worth of the artery clogger.
Experts have observed that the saturated variant is the most likely to be stored in the stomach, unlike other fats. You’ll really want to avoid any of the unhealthiest pizzas worldwide, that’s for sure.
Bottom Line
The desire for a flat tummy is a dream for most and a riddle too. You must adhere to healthy eating habits and be consistent with your workouts at the same time. Knowing what to skip can surely go a long way in supporting you to achieve a toned, flat abdomen.
