5 Worst Foods for Packing on Belly Fat
Wednesday, 01 Jan 2014 12:56 PM
By Lynn Allison
Nobody wants to think about weight loss during the holiday
season with so many yummy taste treats at holiday parties. It’s
afterward when most of us get serious about dieting.
Enemy No.1 for many people is belly fat. Health experts say
there are medical, as well as cosmetic, reasons for making losing
stomach fat a priority.
“Belly fat is the most dangerous fat in your body,”
nutritionist Tara Gidus, coauthor of the new book Flat Belly
Cookbook for Dummies, tells Newsmax Health.
“Elevated levels of belly fat can cause inflammation
throughout your entire body, increasing risk for heart disease,
metabolic syndrome, and cancer.”
European studies have shown that increasing your waistline by
a mere 2 inches — even if you are in a healthy weight range — can
increase mortality risk for women by 13 percent and by 17 percent
for men.
These five types of foods are among the worst for causing
mid-section weight gain, says Gidus.
- Sugar alcohols: These are
sugar substitutes that are partially digested. They are low-calorie,
but they create belly bloat in many people. They also have a
tendency to spark hunger pangs, which lead to eating binges and
weight gain. Any sweet product labeled “sugar-free” or “no sugar
added” is likely to contain sugar alcohols.
- Carbonated drinks: Diet soft
drinks are low-calorie, but they are widely linked to weight gain,
diabetes, and belly fat. Scientists believe no-calorie sweet drinks
slow down metabolism and push the body to store fat.
- High-sodium foods: Salt
doesn’t contain calories, but too much sodium can cause your body to
retain excess water weight, making it hard to achieve a flat
midsection. Aim to keep sodium intake to less than 2,000 mg per day
(1,500 mg if you have high blood pressure). Especially beware of
sodium in restaurant and canned foods.
- Refined carbs: Not all
carbohydrates are created equal. White carbs like crackers, white
bread, and sugary cereals spike blood sugar, leading to fat storage
in the belly. Whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and
popcorn are rich in fiber and better at preventing fat-causing sugar
surges.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can
increase appetite and lower inhibitions, making it more difficult to
resist unhealthy food temptations. Choose red wine, which has been
shown to have heart-healthy and anti-aging properties. Moderation is
the key. Stick to one drink daily if you’re a woman and two if
you’re a man.
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