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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Harvard Health Publications: Abdominal Fat and What to Do About It
- Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism: Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
- Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism: Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
- Appetite: A Diet Rich in Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulates Satiety in Overweight and Obese Volunteers During Weight Loss
- Appetite: A Diet Rich in Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulates Satiety in Overweight and Obese Volunteers During Weight Loss
- American Heart Association: Polyunsaturated Fats
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Best 10 Foods for a Jump-Start to a Flat Belly
No matter the time of year, it seems as though swimsuit season is always just around the corner, which means it's always time to be thinking about how to eat better for a flatter belly. Eating specific foods can't help you spot-reduce. But the best foods to help jump-start your weight loss and flatten your belly are those that are low in calories and high in nutrients. Consult a health care practitioner before starting any weight-loss diet.
High-Fiber Fruits and Vegetables
A 2015 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that adding fiber to your diet is an effective and easy change that can help you lose weight. Fruits and vegetables are naturally good sources of fiber.
But to really up your intake, consider adding raspberries, which have 8 grams of fiber per cup; cooked brussels sprouts, which have 6 grams of fiber per cup; and cooked collards, with 5 grams per cup.
Based on the Institute of Medicine fiber recommendations, women should try to eat 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should get 30 to 38 grams of fiber a day.
- A 2015 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that adding fiber to your diet is an effective and easy change that can help you lose weight.
The Right Grains
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Harvard Health Publications says that if you're trying to lose belly fat, you should limit your intake of refined carbs and replace them with more whole grains 1.
Quinoa is an excellent source of fiber and one of the best grain sources of protein.
Another good grain option to help jump-start your weight loss for a flatter belly is barley. A 2012 review article published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism reports that barley is a highly satiating food and may help you stick to your reduced-calorie weight-loss diet.
- Harvard Health Publications says that if you're trying to lose belly fat, you should limit your intake of refined carbs and replace them with more whole grains 1.
Keep It Lean With Protein
When it comes to hunger control, protein foods beat out fiber, according to the European Food Information Council.
Salmon is not only a good source of protein, with 17 grams in a 3-ounce portion, but it's also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may also help promote meal satiety and weight loss.
Plain nonfat Greek yogurt contains 17 grams of protein per 6-ounce container and is rich in calcium.
And to get both protein and fiber, add lentils to your belly-busting diet. They have 17 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber per cooked cup.
- When it comes to hunger control, protein foods beat out fiber, according to the European Food Information Council.
- Salmon is not only a good source of protein, with 17 grams in a 3-ounce portion, but it's also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may also help promote meal satiety and weight loss.
Better Fat, Better Belly
Diet With Foods That Are Easy to Digest
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You may avoid fat in your diet for fear that it may hasten your weight loss, but Harvard Health Publications suggests replacing unhealthy saturated fat with healthy polyunsaturated fats to help decrease belly fat 1.
Instead of butter, use soy oil in cooking.
Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats and make a healthy snack option on your diet plan.
Related Articles
References
- Harvard Health Publications: Abdominal Fat and What to Do About It
- Annals of Internal Medicine: Single-Component Versus Multicomponent Dietary Goals for the Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Trial
- Today's Dietitian: The Top Fiber-Rich Foods
- Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations: International Year of Quinoa 2013: FAQ
- Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism: Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
- Appetite: A Diet Rich in Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulates Satiety in Overweight and Obese Volunteers During Weight Loss
- American Heart Association: Polyunsaturated Fats
- Full article: Changes in dietary fiber intake in mice reveal associations between colonic mucin O-glycosylation and specific gut bacteria
- Fiber
- Fiber
- Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap
- Meta-Analysis of Usefulness of Psyllium Fiber as Adjuvant Antilipid Therapy to Enhance Cholesterol Lowering Efficacy of Statins - ScienceDirect
- Fiber
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- New Horizons for the Study of Dietary Fiber and Health: A Review | SpringerLink
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- Acute Effects of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure, Hemostasis and Vascular Inflammation Markers in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study - PubMed
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- Effect of Oat β-Glucan Intake on Glycaemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity of Diabetic Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - PubMed
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Writer Bio
Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and lecturing on diet and health for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Diabetes Self-Management and in the book "Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation," edited by John R. Bach, M.D. Corleone holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.