6 Foods that Fight Belly Fat and Bloat

6 Foods that Fight Belly Fat and Bloat

As a nutritionist, I've helped clients reach their specific goals and tackle problem areas for years. Some people want to tone their arms and feel healthier and more energized. Others are just looking to shed a couple of extra pounds. 

But do you know what most people struggle with the most?

Belly fat and uncomfortable bloat.

If you are struggling with the same issue, keep reading because this is important.

Belly fat is incredibly dangerous, and increases your risk of developing:

• •Cardiovascular disease
• •Stroke
• •Colorectal cancer

In fact, too much excess belly fat is a significant risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes.

Visceral fat (aka belly fat) is particularly dangerous because it's so close to your vital organs.

Hormones and chemicals released by fat that's stored in your abdomen affect all your internal organs, but your liver and heart are in particular danger.

Excess fat in your belly has been directly related to fatty liver disease, and excess fat in your bloodstream may cause unhealthy plaque build-up in your arteries, increasing your risk of a heart attack.

The goods news is, foods that are healthy for your whole body are the foods that are most likely to help you shed excess fat around your mid-section.

Start eating the following 6 foods to fight belly fat and bloat:

1. Bone Broth: Bone broth is not only known to improve digestion, but it has incredible anti-inflammatory powers as well. And since inflammation is a major culprit of weight gain and abdominal bloat and discomfort, drinking bone broth on a regular basis will help sooth and balance your gut while warding off unwanted belly fat. 

Unfortunately, most bone broths that you find in the supermarket are packed with preservatives and lack the complete nutritional profile that comes from grass-fed animals. So I recommend that you find a trusted, high-quality bone broth company online and order your bone broth instead. Or you can make it yourself using leftover bones from your organic, grass-fed beef or pasture-raised chicken. I drink it every single day, so I order it from here to save time in the kitchen (and who wouldn't want that?).

2. Wild Salmon: Studies have shown that Omega-3s, essential fatty acids that can be found in wild salmon, reduce belly fat by shrinking the size of abdominal fat cells in fat deposits. Omega-3 fatty acids also help prevent postmenopausal weight gain.

If you aren't a fan of wild salmon (or seafood), high-quality fish oil supplements are just as effective at fighting belly fat. 

3. Apple Cider Vinegar: Several properties in apple cider vinegar give it its "magical powers." It contains calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, malic acid (very helpful in fighting infections from harmful bacteria and fungus), and pectin (which has been found to regular blood pressure).

Bottom line, apple cider vinegar has the ability to greatly improve digestion and eliminate heartburn, clear acne and contact dermatitis, reduce fatigue, relieve constipation, and assist in weight control by breaking down unwanted fat in the body. 

4. Kale and spinach: Kale and spinach are both packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that can put your body into fat-burning overdrive.

These superfoods are also packed with fiber that helps keep you fuller, longer, helping you avoid overeating.  

5. Raw nuts: The time between meals is probably the most dangerous time for people trying to lose weight. We all seem to prepare for sit-down meals in a way we don't for our snacks. Unfortunately, blood sugar dips between meals make snack time the most likely time to grab chips or candy, a quick fix that will boost your blood sugar levels and get you through the afternoon.

Of course, blood sugar spikes lead your body to overproduce insulin, and insulin resistance leads to diabetes. One way to both avoid blood sugar spikes and help your body fight belly fat is to reach for healthy snacks, like fruit and nuts. The fruit is fiber-rich and maintains healthy blood sugar levels, while nuts have a protein that your body burns more calories digesting. Just make sure your choose fruit low on the glycemic index (like berries) and only eat a recommended serving of unsalted nuts, which are also high in healthy fats.

6. Turmeric: Curcumin, the active anti-inflammatory ingredient in turmeric, has the ability to reverse insulin resistance and other symptoms of obesity.

By reversing inflammation, which is a major contributor to weight gain and other diseases, turmeric has the power to offset additional belly fat accumulation. 

Try this belly fat-burning detox shot (with some of my favorite fat-burning foods!)

Ingredients:

• •½ tsp turmeric (Tip: Not all turmeric is created equal. »Get my #1 recommended brand here)
• •¼ tsp cinnamon
• •1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• •2 oz water

Directions:

Stir together all ingredients in a small glass. Drink with a protein-packed Beyond Diet breakfast.

Of course, eating belly-fat fighting, anti-inflammatory foods is just half of the battle. Make sure to avoid the following for at the very least 30 days to reduce bloating, leaky gut (and other intestinal related issues), and excess weight gain:

• •Soy (actually, avoid this ingredient forever. It is known to contribute to thyroid disorders)
• •Refined sodium (found in processed food)
• •Wheat
• •Dairy (especially dairy that isn't raw and unpasteurized)

Why 30 days? It takes about 4-6 weeks to find out if you are sensitive or intolerant to a certain food, and most people have trouble digesting at least 1 of the above inflammatory foods.

Using these tips, you'll finally get the relief you're looking for when it comes to bloat and chronic discomfort. You don't have to change all of your eating habits at once, instead, focus on incorporating 1 fat-burning food into your day (1 recipe at a time) for lasting results.