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Posts Tagged ‘5 Foods that Fight Abdominal Fat’

There are plenty of weight loss programs that list foods you can eat to fight abdominal fat, but not all of them agree on which foods those are. A little research into the subject provides a few very consistent fat loss foods that are found on lists from fat loss diets as diverse as calorie counters like Weight Watchers, low fat like South Beach and low carb like Atkins. The most interesting thing about this ‘magic five’ is that three of them are very much high calorie/high fat foods. By virtue of their outstanding nutritional profile, though, they make the list.

The first two foods to take a close look at for real fat loss are both rich in MUFA’s (monounsaturated fatty acids). MUFA’s are a dieter’s friend and consumption of these foods in moderation seems to actually help break down stubborn belly fat. Because these foods are very high in fat they are also high in calories. The fact remains that if you make a pig of yourself on any high calorie food, good for you or not, you are not going to lose weight.

Avocados are the first to top the fab five fat-loss foods. This tropical fruit is high in mannoheptulose which is an unusual form of sugar that seems to lower insulin response. MUFA’s also impact insulin production that is linked to weight gain. When people gain weight, there is almost always a component of insulin resistance that leads to inefficient burning of body fat. This is especially true of belly fat. A fat belly is also one of the indicators of ‘metabolic disorder’ and this can lead to type 2 diabetes and a host of other health problems.

Second star of the MUFA line up are nuts. If you want to lose weight go nuts for nuts. Pistachios and walnuts are probably the best of the bunch, but almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and pecans are still very good for you. In addition to the healthy fats tree nuts contain, they are high in fiber and many micro-nutrients and vitamins. Peanuts are not tree nuts, they are actually legumes (beans) and are not rich in MUFAs. Nuts also give a satisfying crunch that might get you over the impulse to snack on chips.

Another of our 5 foods that fight abdominal weight may strike you as downright contrary to what you have read about saturated fats. Virgin coconut oil is becoming a star on the fat-fighting food list. It has long been condemned by diet experts because it is a saturated fat (solid at room temperature) but recent evidence suggests that a couple of spoons of coconut oil actually accelerate fat burning.

The last two types of food we’re going to talk about are pretty obvious–fruits and vegetables. They are all healty foods to lose weight But, once again, the impact of any given fruit or vegetable on your insulin levels is the measure of its place in the fat loss hierarchy. For vegetables, the ones at the top of the fat loss pyramid are green leafy vegetables, followed by above ground growing vegetables and last, root vegetables. All root vegetables are high in sugar which impacts your insulin regulation and so should be consumed in small quantities in moderation.

Berries are an excellent part of a fat loss program as they are low in sugar but still give a little sweet boost many dieters crave. They are also excellent sources of anti-oxidants and fiber. Other fruits are quite high in sugar and should be consumed in very small quantities.
These are not the only foods that are excellent choices to lose body fat but they are targeted and specific 5 foods fight abdominal fat.