Belly fat or abdominal fat refers to the deposit of excessive fats around the stomach or abdomen area. This can lead to extremely embarrassing situations like looking odd in any outfit, tummy bulging out of the shirt buttons, unable to adjust in a plane seat, apart from becoming a victim of bullying among friends or at the workplace. Not only a social stigma, it also has a strong correlation with many health problems like cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, hormonal disorder, blood sugar and other metabolic and vascular diseases.
Our body stores fats in two ways, the one which is external and visible and the one which is internal and not apparently visible(around the body organs like heart, liver, kidney, etc.). It is impossible to burn the fats of a specific body region as our body tends to burn fats from all over the body. However, it is not very difficult to fight the situation with the help of exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, etc. and some diet remedies and correction in lifestyle.
Ways To Get Rid Of Belly Fat
Healthy Food To Loose Belly Fat
Low calorie diet is the first thing to incorporate in your life, along with exercises. This is because when we work out, we tend to burn fats and if the calorie intake is low, the body will start burning the fats that are already stored.
However, it is important to remember that it is not necessary that all healthy foods will directly attribute to losing fats. There are some food types that help in relieving water retention, help metabolism or reduce our craving for food.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbing acids is an essential vitamin required by our body. A compound called carnitine which helps in burning fats are made by vitamin C. This is the reason why people with vitamin C deficiency are unable to use stored fats, which causes concentration of fats around the stomach and the waist line. There are instances where people are unable to lose weight even after rigorous exercise, when there is deficiency of vitamin C in the body.
Vitamin C is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables. Some rich sources of this vitamin are citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, bell peppers, chili peppers, guavas, papayas, strawberries, indian goose berries(amla), herms like thymes and parsley, brocolli, cauliflower, etc.
Lean Proteins
Lean protein plays a very important role in fat reduction and weight management. It is a type of protein which is low in fat. According to a study performed by the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the University of Washington, people who consume foods rich in lean protein can tend to lose weight loss without reducing the consumption of complex carbohydrates. Food containing proteins other than lean protein take longer to reach the intestines from the stomach, keeping the stomach fuller for long, which also helps in reducing our cravings for more food. The amino acids present in these proteins help the body in building lean muscles, which helps in burning calories even if when we are not performing any physical activity.
Sea food like tuna, salmon, oysters and shrimps as well as white meat of poultry and egg whites are very rich sources of lean protein. Vegetarians can depend on low-fat dairy, soy, sprouts, lentils and beans for lean protein intake.
Good Fats
Good fats helps us in shedding extra pounds, especially belly fats. They help the body in absorbing vitamin A, D and E. Therefore, the trick lies in adding the good fats in our diet and cutting down on the bad ones. Good fats are of two types, monounsaturated (popularly known as MUFA) and polyunsaturated fats(PUFA). They raise the level of good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol, and help in curving belly fat. MUFA is found in cashew, almonds, olive, olive oils, sesame, avocado, etc. PUFA is available in flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil, sea food like herring, salmon, oysters, mackerel, etc.
Let us now talk about the fats which you should avoid. They are saturated and trans Fats, and are harmful for the body. They raise the cholesterol level and are high on calories. Saturated fats are found in dairy products like cheese, cream, butter, in meat, coconut and palm oil. Trans Fats are found in fried and processed food like french fries, burgers, doughnuts, pastries, wafers, etc.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes not only enhance the taste of food, but is loaded with full of goodness. They are rich is antioxidants, high on dietary fiber, low in fats and extremely beneficial for the heart in terms of reducing the cholesterol level. Consumed either raw, pureed, stewed or as sauce, they help in reducing belly fats in a number of ways.
They contain biotin, which is a water-soluble B vitamin that induces the enzymes in our body to work. The chromium and fiber present in tomatoes helps in balancing the glucose level and detoxifying our body, which in turn reduces our craving for food. Although gifted with a sweet and tangy taste, they are considered low in calories because the number of calories required to digest them exceeds the number of calories present in them.
Drink Of Lemon, Mint And Honey
This drink consisting of lemon, raw honey, mint leaves and lukewarm water has been used over the ages to curb the belly fat of people who are overweight. Honey and lemon helps in flushing out the toxins from the body. They also aids in digestion due to the presence of enzymes present in them.
Mint is a very essential ingredient in removing belly fats. The menthol present in it soothes the digestive track, reduces irritable bowel syndrome, detoxifies the body, cleanses the stomach and purifies the blood in our body. The water in the drink hydrates the body and absorbs the lemon fiber, which in turn, helps in detoxifying the body and cleansing the stomach. It is best to have the drink every morning, empty stomach, which also helps in warding off constipation and bloating of the stomach. However, it is most effective when the diet is healthy along with adequate exercise.
Healthy Lifestyle And Adequate Exercise
It is important to maintain a healthy and disciplined life style. Getting at least eight hours of sleep, dividing the meals into smaller portions, proper relaxation of the body and mind, eating in moderation goes a long way in shedding off unwanted fats. It is equally important to select an effective exercise regime and stick to it. With a little patience and lots of positivity, getting a flat tummy and a great figure is not a very difficult task.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.