Belly fat poses grave health risks because it neighbours important organs such as the liver, stomach, kidneys, and intestines. From this position it can launch an attack, increasing the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Fortunately, you can banish the harmful belly fat by making simple dietary modifications.
Specific dietary decisions can even burn the belly fat fast.
According to Holland and Barrett, “from a diet perspective, if you want to lose stomach fat fast, stick to foods with the least number of calories”.
The health body cites green salads as a low-calorie item that can aid this effort.
Evidence published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics bears out this claim.
READ MORE: Visceral fat: The bread that causes ‘significant’ reductions in belly fat within ‘weeks’
What did the researchers find out?
Participants who consumed the most non-starchy vegetables compared to the least had 44 percent less liver fat.
What’s more, consumers of non-starchy vegetables, compared to non-consumers, had 17 percent less visceral fat.
Examples of non-starchy vegetables include:
- Cabbage
- Celeriac
- Cucumber
- Choy
- Radishes
- Pumpkin
- Kale
- Swede
- Squash
- Lettuce.
Other important dietary tips
Protein can also deal a decisive blow to the belly fat.
“Alternatively, there are lots of protein products on the market, such as supplements and powders, but if you decide to use these make sure you have a trained sports dietitian or nutritionist supervising your diet.”
Studies have also shown that you can help trim visceral fat or prevent its growth with both aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) and strength training (exercising with weights).
“Spot exercises, such as sit-ups, can tighten abdominal muscles but won’t get at visceral fat,” notes Harvard Health.
The health body adds: “Exercise can also help keep fat from coming back.”
