Foods that help to decrease belly fat
![The foods we eat in between meals are snacks. Healthy snacks good for losing belly fat and weight loss include yogurt, edamame, red bell peppers, and other foods.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/how-do-i-get-rid-of-hormonal-belly-fat.jpg?output-quality=75)
You will inevitably get hungry at various times of the day outside mealtimes. The foods we eat in between meals are snacks. Whether you can lose weight while still eating snacks is debatable. But snack weight loss has been linked to people who increase their meal frequency with snacks to help with hunger and blood sugar regulation. Snacking can add to your daily consumption of nutrients, like vitamins, proteins, fiber, and healthy fats. So it is better to stock your home with healthy snacks and snack ingredients to be ready when hunger hits between meals. While some may not directly cause weight loss and belly fat decreases, some foods can help create healthier eating patterns.
These snacks and foods can help you get healthy because of their ability to aid in reducing belly fat.
Yogurt: According to a study, obese adults who ate fat-free yogurt three times a day lost a lot more weight than those who decreased calories in their diet but did not eat yogurt. Those that ate yogurt lost 61% more body fat and 22% more weight than the others.
Edamame: Soybeans are a healthy, low-calorie snack or meal choice. They are a great addition to your snack choices because they help you feel full longer and are high in protein and other nutrients.
Red bell peppers: Red bell peppers are great at fighting belly fat and are high in Vitamin C. One cup of fresh or dried red bell peppers will provide three times the recommended daily Vitamin C intake.
Broccoli: Broccoli, like bell peppers, is high in Vitamin C. It can be dipped in hummus for a healthy snack with high nutritional value.
Beans: Choosing beans as a snack or meal can help decrease body fat and lose weight. They are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber reduces digestive system inflammation. An inflamed inflammation system can increase weight gain.
Diluted vinegar addition: Apple cider vinegar is a popular dietary supplement. It is popular because the acetic acid contained in vinegar is believed to initiate fat metabolism. More studies need to be done, but vinegar may help with weight loss because of its metabolic properties. Vinegar should be diluted before eating.
Salmon and beef: Fat is needed in the diet. Trying to cut it out completely is unhealthy and ineffective. You need healthy fats. Meat and dairy contain saturated fats, which do not help when trying to lose weight. Swapping beef for salmon, which contains polyunsaturated fats, is the healthier choice.
Snacks and weight loss
Snacking should satisfy your hunger, give your body energy, and provide essential nutrients. The best snacks should have about 100 calories or less in order to remain in line with daily caloric intake goals. The following are healthy snack choices:
- 2 cups of air-popped popcorn
- 2 cups small carrots
- 5 pieces Melba toast, pumpernickel, or rye
- 1 cup sliced fresh fruit or berries
- 2 tablespoons peanuts
- 2 slices of low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese the size of a standard domino tile
To-go fruit and vegetables can help you get full easily and keep your intake under 100 calories. These servings of fruit and veggies all have less than 100 calories:
- Medium orange: 65 calories
- Medium peach: 58 calories
- Small banana: 90 calories
- 20 grapes: 68 calories
- Medium apple: 95 calories
- Two kiwis: 84 calories
- 20 medium baby carrots: 70 calories
- 20 cherry tomatoes: 61 calories
- Medium red pepper: 37 calories
- 20 pea pods: 28 calories
Is "fresh" a requirement for healthy snacking?
Fresh fruit and vegetables are great choices for snacking in between meals. But frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are good choices as well. Though some of the processing does slightly lower nutritional content, canned fruit in its own juices without syrup are a reasonable choice.
Fruit and vegetables are better choices than many other popular snacks. A reduced-fat cheese stick has only 60 calories but also has 4.5 grams of fat. The protein and fat content can suppress your appetite, but one cheese stick may be less satisfying than 20 baby carrots. The carrots will add up to 10 times the weight of the cheese but only have one gram of fat and 70 calories.
Healthy carbs are also part of the debate about healthy foods. You always hear bad things about carbs but not every carb is bad for you. You can easily refuse foods containing processed carbs with little fiber and ingredients that spike your blood sugar. These include chips, pasta, crackers, and white bread. Instead, choose complex carbs like all whole grain pasta, bread beans, and brown rice. Variation, moderation, and balance are significant.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think-s1-bulletproof-coffee.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowDo drinks count?
Drinks that have high-calorie counts and added sugar should be limited. Too much sugar is linked to the extra weight that accumulates in the abdomen and waist. Drinking too much fruit juice and sugar-sweetened drinks can be harmful. When calories are drunk with soda or juice, you may feel less full compared to eating those same calories in solid snacks. An example is drinking a large cup of orange juice instead of eating three oranges which make you more full and have the same amount of calories.
Alcohol is an issue as well. Research has shown that heavy drinkers have more fat around the belly than casual or social drinkers. With alcohol, you drink extra calories and have your inhibitions lowered. This can lead to more eating and drinking. Drinking is often associated with fast foods like wings. If you drink over two alcoholic drinks daily, try your best to cut back.
Health News
- One Death, 10 Hospitalizations in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Peaches, Plums
- Charity Scams Get Active Over the Holidays: Expert Tips to Avoid Them
- Too Few Seniors Get Follow-up Care After a Serious Fall
- AI Could Predict a Nonsmoker's Risk for Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Cleveland Clinic: "10 Ways To Get Rid of Belly Fat for Good."
Mayo Clinic: "Snacks: How they fit into your weight-loss plan."
Nutrition hospitalaria: "Does increasing meal frequency improve weight loss and some biochemical parameters in overweight/obese females?"
SelectHealth.org: "7 Foods that Burn Belly Fat."
Top Healthy Snacks Good For Losing Belly Fat Weight Related Articles
12 Things That Make You Gain Belly Fat
Here is a breakdown of the foods and drinks you might not even realize are causing you to gain unwanted belly fat.25 Effective Tips to Lose Belly Fat (Backed by Science)
Sugary foods, processed foods, alcohol, stress, smoking, excess carbohydrates and saturated fats all increase belly fat. Exercise, healthy eating, sleep, self-monitoring, portion control, intermittent fasting, high protein, soluble fiber, vitamin D, hydration and eating flavorful food may all help decrease belly fat.Belly Fat Quiz
Did you know there is a medical term for belly fat? Find out what it is and learn why getting rid of belly fat may be the best thing for your health. Take the Belly Fat Quiz.Belly Fat Foods Quiz
Is belly fat deadly? What kinds of foods are good and bad for belly fat? Take this quiz to learn about belly fat, how it can be dangerous, and what you can do about it.Can You Lose Belly Fat by Cycling?
Yes, cycling can help lose belly fat, but it will take time. A recent study showed regular cycling may enhance overall fat loss and promote a healthy weight. To reduce overall belly girth, moderate-intensity aerobic exercises, such as cycling (either indoor or outdoor), are effective to lower belly fat.Can You Lose Belly Fat by Drinking Water?
Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy. Staying hydrated is critical if you’re trying to lose weight because it helps your body function effectively and will help you feel better overall.Can You Lose Belly Fat Without Doing Abs?
You can lose belly fat without doing ab exercises by focusing on diet and reducing your overall body fat percentage.Diet and Weight Management: The Facts About Belly Fat
Belly fat doesn't just make your jeans too tight. It can also be risky for your health. Learn the facts about stomach fat, including what works to reduce it.orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) is a drug available in prescription and over-the-counter that promotes weight loss. Side effects include abdominal pain and discomfort, oily or fatty stools, gas (flatulence), oily spotting on underwear. Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any OTC or prescription medication.Salty Snacks: 19 Healthy Options to Satisfy Your Salt Cravings
How can you satisfy your need to eat salt and stay healthy? These snacks may help to do the trick.