Looking to melt your middle? Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier to do than you think. All you have to do is incorporate these nine food groups, each of which helps to fight inflammation, boost metabolism, and—most important of all—turn off your fat genes and reverse your body’s tendency to store fat. These best foods to melt belly fat are designed to provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats at every meal to help boost metabolism and fight hunger. They’ll maximize your levels of macronutrients to shut down your genetic fat-storage mechanisms, while also minimizing excess sugars, refined carbohydrates, and additives that are known to aggravate the stomach and lead to inflammation and weight gain.

The result will be not only fast, easy weight loss but an almost immediate sense of energy, a leaner midsection, and a lighter body. Read on for the nine best foods that melt stubborn belly fat, and for more tips on how to eat more healthily, be sure to check out our list of 30 Cooking Tricks They Only Teach You in Culinary School.

Eggs are the single best dietary source of the B vitamin choline, which is an essential nutrient used in the construction of all the body’s cell membranes. Two eggs will give you half your day’s worth; only beef liver has more. And believe us, starting your day with a slab of beef liver does not make for a great morning.

But as more and more research is done into the mechanisms of fat genes, the value of eggs has only grown. Choline deficiency is linked directly to the genes that cause visceral fat accumulation, particularly in the liver. One of the reasons heavy drinkers develop fatty liver is that alcohol undercuts the body’s ability to process choline.

Yet, according to the 2005 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, only a small percentage of all Americans eat daily diets that meet the U.S. Institute of Medicine’s Adequate Intake of 425 milligrams for women and 550 milligrams for men. Start your day with eggs, and enjoy some other sources like lean beef and seafood.

More and more research has begun to show that some fruits are better at fighting belly fat than others. And the master fruits all have one thing in common; they’re red, or at least reddish. These fruits include ruby red grapefruit, tart cherries, raspberries, strawberries, Pink Lady apples, watermelon, plums, peaches, and nectarines.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Though it may seem counterintuitive to add fat to a meal if you’re trying to lose fat, eating a moderate portion of unsaturated fats, like the kind found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts, can ward off the munchies and keep you full by regulating hunger hormones. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that participants who ate half a fresh avocado with lunch reported a 40% decreased desire to eat for hours afterward.

Changing the kind of fat in your diet will also help you increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids while reducing omega-6 fats (found in vegetable oil and fried foods); upping your ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s has been proven to improve metabolic health and reduce inflammation.

RELATED: Surprising Side Effects of Using Olive Oil, Says Science

Grains get a bad rap because of their carbohydrate content. And now, more and more studies are looking at the effects of gluten, the protein found in wheat, not just as a culprit in weight gain but because of possible long-term health effects like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

But not all grains are created equal. Gluten-free whole grains like quinoa contain a nutrient called betaine, an amino acid that positively influences the genetic mechanism for insulin resistance and visceral fat.

So stop thinking in terms of “grains” or “carbs” and start thinking of healthy fiber. The right fiber sources provide your body with energy and feed lean muscle mass while keeping you full all day. In addition to filling fiber, some of the best foods that melt belly fat include beans, lentils, oats, quinoa, and brown rice contain magnesium and chromium—two incredible nutrients that combat cortisol (a stress hormone that directs fat to be stored around the waist) and keep down insulin production (high levels of the hormone also encourage fat to pile on around the belly).

Plant-based protein powders are a low-sugar, high-fiber alternative to popular dairy-based supplements. A study by the University of Tampa that compared plant protein to whey found it to be equally effective at changing body composition and boosting muscle recovery and growth. But with less sugar and a healthier fat profile, plant-based proteins will also improve your gut health at the same time as they’re fueling your muscles. Hemp, rice, and pea proteins are all good options; however, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting a complete protein with a full amino acid profile, which is why a blend that combines all three is superior.

RELATED: 7 Highest Quality Proteins To Eat Every Day, Say Dietitians.

Protein is kryptonite to belly fat, and the building block of a lean, toned belly. When you eat protein, your body has to expend a lot of calories in digestion—about 25 calories for every 100 calories you eat (compared with only 10 to 15 calories for fats and carbs). Protein is also more filling. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a meal that’s high in protein as opposed to carbs increases satiety by suppressing the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin.

Now, you may be tempted to grab one of those expensive protein bars instead of sitting down for a decent meal. But the effect isn’t the same. Not only are you getting a lot of extra sugar and chemicals, but you’re not getting the same fat-fighting effects. Studies show that your body burns more calories digesting whole foods than it does processed foods. In addition, lean meats are key sources of choline, which we already established is a nutrient that helps turn off the genetic triggers that lead to fatty liver—a new epidemic linked to visceral fat—and methionine and vitamin B12, which unplug genes linked to diabetes and weight gain.

Low-energy-density foods like vegetables are crucial for melting belly fat, because they add essential nutrients, filling fiber, and volume to meals, all for relatively few calories. Bright colors signal that the vegetables are rich in polyphenols, micronutrients that help to control diet-induced inflammation. Green tea carries catechins, some of which can “turn off” the genetic triggers for diabetes and obesity. And vegetables, especially the leafy kind, have a low glycemic load—meaning they fill your body up with nutrients without generating a spike in blood sugar.

New research has shown that piperine—which is released when the waiter from the fancy restaurant uses that giant pepper grinder in front of your face—has some stunning magical powers. In animal studies, piperine has been shown to fight depression, inflammation, and arthritis and enhance the action of other nutrients. In human studies, it’s been demonstrated to improve your ability to get a nice tan while spending less time in the sun. Who knew all that could come from a simple pepper grinder?

Research is showing that herbs, spices, and flavorings do more than add extra bite to your food and help you reduce salt intake. Yellow mustard seeds have high levels of anti-cancer compounds called glucosinolates; cinnamon has been linked to improved insulin response, and compounds in turmeric and horseradish have been shown to impact the behavior of your fat-storage genes, while ginger packs high levels of health-boosting phytonutrients. Bottom line: adding yellow, black, and brown spices to your meals means you’re boosting the health benefits across the board, while also calming your desire for more salt and sugar.

RELATED: The 17 Best and Worst Dark Chocolates.

The benefits of dark chocolate keep piling up: mental clarity, lowered blood pressure, and decreased appetite. A 2014 study found that a particular type of antioxidant in cocoa prevented laboratory mice from gaining excess weight and actually lowered their blood sugar levels. In 2018, Louisiana State University also conducted a study and found that gut microbes in one stomach ferment chocolate and boost our body’s production of heart-healthy polyphenolic compounds, including butyrate, a fatty acid that decelerates the behavior of genes linked to insulin resistance and inflammation. Add fruit to the chocolate to boost fermentation and the release of the compounds!

But make sure you’re choosing the right kind of chocolate: Look for a cacao content of 70% or above, and stay away from Dutch cocoa, as the Dutching process destroys up to 77% of the healthy compounds in chocolate.

A previous version of this article originally appeared in The Zero Belly Diet by Dave Zinczenko.

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Abdominal fat (also known as visceral fat) can be pretty difficult to drop. Thankfully, when coupled with a balanced, wholesome diet, these nutritious foods can help you get rid of this dangerous layer of pudge, and slim your midsection.

Read on for nutritionists’ top picks, and for more inspiration check out The 9 Best Foods That Melt Belly Fat. Summer will be here in a blink, friends.

The number one food recommendation for anyone who wants to lose belly fat? According to Kim Yawitz, RD, a registered dietitian and gym owner in St. Louis, Mo.: “Eat more foods that are high in soluble fiber—a nutrient that most Americans don’t get enough of. In one study, visceral fat decreased by nearly four percent for every 10-gram increase in daily soluble fiber intake,” she said.

“Beans are an excellent source of soluble fiber, and studies suggest that eating more of them could help fend off belly fat. One easy way to incorporate more beans into your diet is to add some cooked white beans into a smoothie—you’ll never know they’re there!”

Whether you’re having it for breakfast or as a snack to tide you over between meals, unsweetened plain Greek yogurt is an excellent choice to target pesky belly fat. “It’s packed with satisfying protein which helps to squash hunger and the overeating that’s associated with it. Getting adequate protein is also critical for melting more fat, including belly fat, since protein is essential for building metabolism-revving lean muscle tissue,” say Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, The Nutrition Twins, founders of The 21-Day Body Reboot and registered dietitians on the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board.

“Eating yogurt is associated with lower body weight, body fat and having a smaller waist. Additionally, yogurt is a good source of good-for-your-gut probiotics, and having a healthy gut microbiome is associated with less body fat, abdominal fat included.”

Yawitz also recommends loading up on nuts to slim down. “Studies suggest that people who eat more nuts weigh less and have less belly fat than those who don’t eat them as often. There’s some evidence that walnuts, especially, could help burn belly fat,” said Yawitz. “In two small studies, adults who ate walnuts every day had higher levels of a fat-burning hormone called adiponectin, which has been shown to decrease waist circumference even when there’s no change in body weight.”

As Yawitz advises, you don’t need to go overboard with “walnuts to increase your adiponectin levels (in fact, eating too many nuts can lead to weight gain). Just under ½ cup per day should do the trick.” For more info on walnuts, check out the Secret Side Effects of Eating Walnuts, Says Dietitian.

A lot of amazing things happen to your body when you eat carrots. One of them? You might shed abdominal fat. “Carotenoids are pigments that give red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables their color. In a recent study, women who ate more carotenoid-rich foods had less abdominal fat than those who didn’t eat as much of them,” said Yawitz. “In this study, carrots and pumpkin were especially popular among women with smaller bellies, but you can also try spinach, kale, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and bell peppers if you want to mix it up.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

READ MORE: Best Eating Habits for Faster Abdominal Fat Loss, Say Experts

Grab that glass of OJ, friends. “This is probably a surprising food, but regularly drinking an OJ that’s fortified with both vitamin D and calcium may help with decreasing your belly fat! This is because research connects vitamin D and calcium intake with decreased belly fat,” said Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, an inclusive plant-based dietitian and owner of Master the Media in Stamford, CT.

“A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who took in 100 IU of vitamin D and 350 milligrams of calcium via fortified orange juice daily had more of a decrease in belly fat, compared to people not drinking the fortified orange juice.”

“Eating more high-quality protein such as salmon could help lower your body fat. A study in Nutrition & Metabolism found that doing so was connected to a decrease in the percent of central abdominal fat,” said Gorin, who loves to make salmon bacon. We also are big fans of this Sweet and Spicy Glazed Salmon with Roasted Veggies recipe.

And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are.

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Want to lose your gut? Don’t we all. Whether that unflattering flab around your midsection discourages you from flaunting your bod at the beach or just being comfortable if your favorite pair of jeans, we’ve all been there. Well, now it’s time to eat your way to a flatter belly. See, that unwanted belly fat can be banished with the help of these specific fat-incinerating foods.

To aid in your quest of achieving a toned tummy, we’ve put together a list of the 50 most potent foods that’ll help you get rid of the gut—and keep it off! Snoop through our list and get to burning some extra fat fast with our best weight loss tips. Plus, be sure to try these 22 Meals to Melt Belly Fat in 2022.

The good gut bugs that thrive in your stomach require food to live, and one of their go-to picks are black beans! Gut bacteria munch on these beans’ soluble fiber and then transform it into butyrate, a chemical that’s been shown to increase calorie burning in mice. Every half a cup of black beans has over eight grams of satiating fiber, which is nearly twice as much as an apple boasts!

Wild-caught salmon is brimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which are notorious for squashing inflammation and helping you zap unwanted belly flab. In fact, these healthy fats fight inflammation by increasing adiponectin levels, a hormone that boosts metabolism and burns fat. Stock up on this pink fish, as it’s rich in both EPA and DHA, the two active forms of omega-3s.

Stop fearing the fat! Creamy avocados are full of monounsaturated fats that dim your appetite and prevent the accumulation of belly fat. In fact, a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology tracked 90,257 people for several years and discovered that participants who tried to eat a low-fat diet had the same risk of being overweight as those who ate whatever they wished! Consider this fast fact another reason to bite into avo toast.

Looking to blast belly fat? Well first, you must make sure you’re eating foods that support a balanced gut microbiome—like miso paste (yup, the stuff miso soup is made with). Made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji, miso paste teeming with gut-healthy bacteria that can help stimulate the digestive system, strengthen your immune system, and torch belly fat. Here’s proof: in a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers compared overweight women who followed a low-calorie diet and were given either a placebo or a probiotic supplement for twelve weeks. At the end of the study, women who supplemented their calorie-restrictive meal plan with a probiotic lost more weight than those who took the placebo.

Carotenoids, plant-derived antioxidants that stabilize blood sugar levels and lower insulin resistance (therefore preventing calories from converting into belly fat) are generously present in sweet potatoes. For a quick and easy side or snack, pop a whole tater into the oven, bake on high until soft, and enjoy alongside your dinner or on its own.

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Forget counting calories on your quest to fight fat, and shift your focus onto protein instead. Since muscle steals the fat cells around your abdominals to burn for energy, maintaining those gains is a great way to score washboard abs. Just one large egg contains about 78 calories and a solid six grams of protein. If you’ve exhausted all your favorite scramble combos, whip up some of these Egg Recipes to Stay Skinny for a change.

Oats contain a type of hard-to-find soluble fiber called beta-glucans, which forms a gel in your small intestine, lowering blood cholesterol levels, boosting the immune system, increasing satiety, and regulating blood glucose levels. When you feel fuller for longer, there’s less of an opportunity to gorge on unhealthy snacks or extra calories that could make you put on belly fat. Wake up to a belly-flattening meal by whipping up one of these Overnight Oats Recipes for Weight Loss the evening before.

These reddish fruits can give your fat genes the red light. How so? Plums contain phenolic compounds called flavonoids, which lend the fruit its deep color as well as its ability to fight fat. Plums also are a great source of pectin, a gelatin-like type of fiber which animal studies have found to reduce liver fat (belly fat) and block the amount of fat cells can absorb.

There’s a reason why Popeye always chose spinach. The dark green leaves contain a long-chain sugar molecule called sulfoquinovose (SQ), which can help your midsection stay trim. According to a study in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, SQ promotes the growth your good gut bacteria, which prevent bad bacteria from colonizing your gut and causing inflammation and belly fat. Toss the leafy greens with a handful of walnuts, sliced strawberries, and goat cheese for a satisfying lunch.

This succulent root veggie is a unique source of betaine, an amino acid that increases metabolism, positively influences the mechanism for insulin resistance, boosts your mood, switches fat genes off, and attacks inflammatory markers that are released by belly fat, according to a review in the journal Nutrients. Not sure how to incorporate these bad boys into your meal plan? Try these Healthy Beet Recipes.

Take a moment to ignore the recent buzz claiming coconut oil is a health food foe, and consider this: according to a study published in the journal Lipids, participants who supplemented their diet with this tropical oil reduced abdominal obesity significantly more than participants who consumed inflammatory soybean oil. To what can we chalk up the flatter belly? Experts believe it’s the coconut oil’s medium-chain triglycerides (which are burned as energy instead of being stored as fat) and lauric acid (which has been shown to pinpoint belly fat and torch it).

According to a 2016 Danish study, people who ate a meal rich in plant protein rather than animal protein reported feeling significantly more satiated. Pack a baggie full of flab-frying peanuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds to munch on if the hunger pangs begin to distract you in between meals. Just make sure to portion your trail mix, as the fix-ins are some of the Healthy Foods To Eat in Moderation.

Besides for being one of our favorite portable proteins for on-the-go satiety, Greek yogurt is also a great belly fat fighter. According to a recent study presented at the annual Society for Endocrinology conference, researchers found that when protein is digested and broken down, one of the resulting amino acids, phenylalanine, triggers hormones that help reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss. If you find yourself stumped at the dairy aisle, don’t forget that we tested 12 yogurts and found the best one. Our top pick is the creamiest of them all—and packs in an impressive 15 grams of the muscle-building stuff!

According to a study in the journal Oncogene, curcumin (turmeric’s main antioxidant) is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory foods in existence. Since belly fat encourages inflammation as well as makes it more difficult to lose the bulge, sprinkling anti-inflammatory turmeric onto your eggs or stirring up a golden milk latte will help you tighten that tummy.

Light tuna is a dietary triple threat in a can: it’s affordable, packed with protein, and blasts belly fat. In fact, a study in the Journal of Lipid Research found that adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet could help turn off fat genes. While fish contain two types of omega-3s—DHA and EPA—the researchers discovered that DHA can be 40 to 70 percent more effective than EPA at suppressing fat genes and preventing fat cells from enlarging. Crack open a can of tuna because it’s the fish with the highest DHA content.

When you skimp out on sleep, your body produces more ghrelin, the hunger hormone, encouraging you to eat more the next day. Stay on track with your weight loss goals by noshing on nanners. Not only do their muscle-relaxing minerals, like potassium and magnesium, lullaby your body into a sleep mode, these fruits can also help you look and feel thinner. One Anaerobe study found that women who ate a banana twice daily before meals for two months reduced their bloat by 50 percent, thanks to the fruit’s debloating potassium.

Who knew that zapping fat is as easy as shaking some cinnamon onto your oats? A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that this blood sugar-regulating spice helps reduce insulin secretion, preventing sugar from being stored as fat. Not into oatmeal? Try sprinkling the stuff into your latte or smoothies.

Forget the flour tortillas and Frosted Flakes, and don’t even think about grabbing that loaf of ciabatta! “Whole grains provide a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and may even help regulate blood-sugar levels and promote a loss of belly fat,” explains Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN. “For every grain you choose, make it 100 percent whole grain.” Our exclusive report best & worst store-bought breads can help you sift through the most popular pieces of toast so you can choose the right one.

Leucine can help you build the lean muscle mass that’s needed to trim excess fat from your frame, according to Jennifer McDaniel, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD. Red meats just happen to be some of the best sources of this potent amino acid. Always pick grass-fed meats to get the added benefits of omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), as these two fats can decrease inflammation and fat storage.

At the same time cayenne pepper torches your tongue, it also incinerates the fat cells in your tummy. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating capsaicin, the main compound in the fiery pepper that lends it its heat, speeds up abdominal fat loss by boosting the body’s ability to convert food into energy. Add some heat and color to your cooking with these 20 Spicy Recipes That Fire Up Your Metabolism.

Consider these bumpy red berries your new natural weight loss pill. Raspberries are jam-packed with fiber and water, which help you feel full. And just like other berries, raspberries are brimming with polyphenols, powerful plant chemicals that have been shown to whittle your middle. Throw them onto your morning oatmeal or pop them as a snack to reap their benefits.

One of the juiciest joys of fall is the plethora of apple species we can find at the local grocery store. Whether you go for the Granny Smith or always pick the Pink Lady apples, this crunchy fruit has been proven to trim excess fat. Just don’t forget to bite into one with the skin on! Apple peels contain a compound called ursolic acid, which can increase muscle mass and brown fat, the good kind of fat that helps melt your midsection.

While grapes contain more sugar than most of our favorite low-carb fruits, they also pack in some unexpected flab-fighting benefits. A Washington State University study discovered that resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, converted the excess white fat into calorie-burning beige fat, decreasing obesity by 40 percent! And all you need is just three servings of resveratrol a day. Luckily, grapes aren’t the only source: apples and berries contain the fat-fighter too!

Go ahead and pour yourself another glass of red. Just make sure you’re sipping on Malbec, Petite Sirah, St. Laurent or Pinot Noir, as these vinos have the highest content of waist-whittling resveratrol. Although a five-ounce glass of merlot packs in just 122 calories, imbibing too much can rack up the calories and leave you hungover and craving a greasy egg sandwich (which we all know wouldn’t work wonders on your weight loss goals).

Let’s face it, kale is completely overrated. But dinosaur kale, a.k.a. black or lacinato kale, on the other hand, is its lesser-known cousin that’s equally as deserving of acclamation. Dinosaur kale’s blue-green leaves are less bitter and more tender than the regular kind, but boast the same flat belly properties, like filling fiber, protein, and B vitamins that can help you get rid of the gut.

It seems like green tea has a bit of competition when it comes to shedding the beer belly. According to a study published in the journal Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, white tea both blocks the formation of new fat cells and boosts lipolysis, the breakdown of fat. What’s more, white tea contains catechins, natural antioxidants that protect your body from harming free radicals and confidence-dampening belly fat.

Sneaking pepitas into some of your favorite foods is one of the best ways to increase protein intake. Not only do roasted pumpkin seeds contain eight grams of protein per ounce, they’re also packed with fiber, zinc, and potassium—key nutrients needed for muscle building and recovery. Remember, the more muscle you have, the less fat your body will hold on to.

If you’ve never heard of this fermented Chinese tea, it’s time to add it to your a.m. routine. A study in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that feeding obese mice a high-fat diet coupled with pu-erh tea extract decreased their total body weight and cholesterol levels.

These bite-sized berries are as mighty as they are tiny. In a study in the Journal of Medicinal Food, blueberries were shown to reduce abdominal fat, triglycerides, and total body weight. A review in the journal Nutrients also noted blueberry consumption is inversely related to obesity. Next time you’re making a yogurt parfait, don’t forget to toss in some blueberries!

If you like to start your day with oatmeal, we’re definitely commending you. But you’re better off getting introduced to oat bran, oatmeal’s overachieving cousin. Oat bran boasts even more protein and fiber—6 grams of protein and fiber each per 120 calories—which means you’ll feel fuller for longer, and avoid the soft, tempting whispers of office donuts lurking around.

Pickles are filled with water, vinegar, and fiber, and barely any calories! In fact, just one cup of the pickled cucumbers pack in two grams of fiber for only 16 calories. Not to mention, studies show that acidic foods like vinegar help increase the body’s carb-burning rate by up to 40 percent. Once your body burns off carbs, it moves onto torching fat, which can help you finally rock your skinny jeans muffin top-free.

To get the most nutritional bang for your buck, freshly grind your flaxseeds right before using them. Just one tablespoon has about 2.3 grams of fat-blasting ALA, making it a wholesome oatmeal topper. Flaxseeds are also rich in fiber, which can help you lose your gut. A Annals of Internal Medicine study found that by increasing the amount of fiber you eat each day to 30 grams while keeping calories the same, you can lose weight, lower blood pressure, and improve your body’s insulin response.

Whether you’re adding them to your breakfast bowl or noshing on them to beat the 2 p.m. slump, sunflower seeds are a great way to get in your daily dose of magnesium—a nutrient that helps the body release fat from its stores. “Sunflower seeds and sunbutter are two great belly-busters,” says registered dietitian Lauren Slayton, MS, RD of Foodtrainers. “The type of fat in the seeds have been shown to reduce abdominal fat in women with no other change in diet.”

Piperine, a fat-frying compound found in black pepper, has been shown to trigger adipogenesis in human cells and increase fat metabolism in mice, resulting in a decrease in waist size, body fat, and cholesterol levels. Fortunately for those who’ve set a goal to ditch the gut, you can sprinkle black pepper on practically anything! Start with these 35 Slow Cooker Recipes for Weight Loss.

Good news chocoholics: you can now bite into another square sans guilt. Louisiana State University researchers found that eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can reduce overall body fat and shrink your waistline, thanks to the dessert’s heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Before you go on a cocoa spree, make sure you buy a bar with at least 70 percent cacao and avoid bars that list “alkalized” chocolate in their ingredients (those have a significantly reduced flavonoid content).

Just half a cup of quinoa has 12 grams of hunger-quelling protein and fiber, as well as all nine amino acids—making it a complete protein. It’s also a potent source of gut-busting nutrients like zinc and magnesium. Additionally, quinoa has the highest level of betaine, according to a Food Chemistry study. Why is that important? Well, a Nutrients study linked betaine supplementation to a revved metabolism and inhibition of fat production, which can get you to lose your gut for good.

Just like white tea, green tea contains powerful catechins that can rev your metabolism significantly. In fact, a study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams (about one bottle) of catechins via green tea daily had significantly lower BMIs and smaller waist measurements than those who didn’t sip. An Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention report found that the average daily intake of catechins in Japanese men and women were 110 and 157 milligrams, respectively, so you’ll have to up your tea game if you’re interested in reaping the benefits.

Asparagus can help you score the body you’ve been dreaming of thanks to its plethora of benefits like vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, as well as folate, iron, copper, calcium, protein, and fiber. The best part? Just a cup of these skinny spears have nearly three grams of hunger-quelling protein and fiber each for just 27 calories!

Eating an entire eggplant may seem intimidating at first (have you noticed how huge they are?), but it’s totally doable—and recommended! Just one unpeeled eggplant contains 5.3 grams of muscle-maintaining protein and a walloping 16 grams of fiber for just 137 calories! Not sure how to give this nutritional superstar a go? Grill an eggplant with a drizzle of olive oil and munch on it as a snack or toss it atop your favorite healthy pizza.

We love Greek yogurt because of its ultra-rich creaminess and protein punch, but kefir just takes the tang to the next level. Beyond the satiety-inducing protein, the probiotics in kefir can help rev your weight loss efforts. A Food & Nutrition Research study found that these good bacteria species (like L. casei) boosted the breakdown of fat molecules in mice and prevented them from packing on the pounds. Although the study was conducted on rats, there’s no reason for us not to add some creamy kefir to our diets.

Each slice of grapefruit you add to your salad acts like a match to spark your body’s fat-burning ability. A study published in the journal Metabolism found that those who ate grapefruit for six weeks lost a full inch off their waistlines. What’s behind the gut-busting effect? The fruit is rich in phytochemicals, bioactive compounds that recent research shows stimulate the production of a hormone called adiponectin, which is involved in the breakdown of body fat.

Kamut, a lesser known grain native to the Middle East, is bursting with slimming omega-3 fatty acids while boasting a high protein count and remaining low in calories. Not only can kamut help you say good riddance to the gut, it also reduces cholesterol, blood sugar, and cytokines, which cause inflammation throughout the body, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found. Psst! Don’t tell quinoa, but kamut makes a delicious addition to any salad bowl!

Surprised? Although olive oil contains fat, it actually contains a type of healthy fat that has been found to decrease levels of fat-storing inflammation. According to a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, a polyphenol only found in unrefined extra virgin olive oil—oleocanthal—reduces inflammation in a similar way that ibuprofen does: it prevents the production of two pro-inflammatory enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2. Lower levels of inflammation on the inside of your body means less belly fat on the outside.

Unless you’re going low carb for a few days (we don’t recommend it for longer periods of time), there’s no reason not to pop a potato into the oven. In an Australian study that measured the satiating index of 38 popular foods, researchers discovered that potatoes were not only more filling and satisfying than diet no-nos like doughnuts and cake, they also ranked higher than healthy picks like brown rice and oatmeal. In fact, participants reported eating less food throughout the day when they consumed these potassium and fiber-rich spuds.

Lentils are one of the most affordable plant protein sources out there that also work to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, promote fat metabolism, and quell that ravenous appetite. Because lentils are a resistant starch, their slow-digesting fiber triggers the release of acetate, a molecule in the gut that signals the brain to put the fork down. Don’t believe us? An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition systematic review of clinical trials on dietary pulses found that people who ate a daily serving of lentils, just about 3/4 cup, felt an average 31 percent fuller for longer, compared to those who didn’t munch on them. They were also linked to weight loss and reduced body fat percentage.

If kimchi’s only on your menu at your favorite Korean BBQ spot, consider adding this fermented food to your diet ASAP. Why’s that? Researchers at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea found that the probiotics found in kimchi can suppress weight gain significantly. To come to this finding, researchers fed rats a high-fat diet, then fed one group probiotics found in kimchi (Lactobacillus brevis) and reported that the organism suppressed the diet-induced weight gain by 28 percent! Reap these waist-whittling benefits by shopping for sauerkraut, pickles, brined olives, too.

If you thought salmon was king of the sea when it comes to omega-3s, you haven’t met sardines. Studies show that these heart-healthy fatty acids can improve everything from your cholesterol profile to your mood to your ability to ward off Alzheimer’s and even weight gain. Not to mention, you can likely find a can of this skinny fish for under $2 at your local grocery store!

Tired of plain old chicken breast? Low-cal cottage cheese is a dietary superstar when it comes to adding a hefty dose of protein to your diet. It’s also considered a complete protein, since it contains all nine essential amino acids your body needs to function properly—so you can totally spoon the cheesy goodness on its own.

Forget losing weight if your stress hormones are out of whack. When we’re stuck in a hair-pulling situation, the body starts producing the hormone cortisol, which encourages the belly to store fat. Good thing red peppers are also an excellent source of vitamin C, a micronutrient that your body uses to decrease levels of the fat-storing hormone cortisol and boost the fat-burning effects of exercise, according to Arizona State University researchers.

Here’s another reason to stack a hearty PB&J sandwich: According to a recent study presented at the annual Society for Endocrinology conference, researchers found that when protein is digested and broken down into amino acids in your body, one of those amino acids—phenylalanine—triggers hormones that help reduce appetite and ultimately leads to fat burn and weight loss. Just remember, stick to the two-tablespoon serving size (yup, that means refraining from gobbling down the entire jar in one sitting!) to reap its belly-shrinking benefits. For a quick and delicious snack that’ll keep you full for hours, dip apples into peanut butter and munch the hunger away. Look to our guide of the best and worst peanut butter to pick your new favorite jar.

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The post Lose Your Gut: 50 Foods That Help Melt Belly Fat appeared first on Heal your health yourself.

There are just some areas on the body that are harder to target than others. That stubborn fat just won’t seem to go away, and there is one spot you’re most likely thinking of—the area on your hips and lower back, or “love handles” as some people call it.

Unlike belly fat, which infiltrates your internal organs and is linked to everything from diabetes to heart disease to liver failure, that other type of unwanted fat is made of subcutaneous fat, which is located just below the skin, and sort of sits there. It’s not nearly as dangerous, but to be frank, it’s not always the best, aesthetically speaking. So if you’re ready to rid your body of this fat, it’s easier than you may think.

Here, we rounded up the best foods to add to your diet to lose that stubborn fat. While you’re making changes, be sure to try out these 21 Best Healthy Cooking Hacks of All Time.

Wondering how to lose belly fat and love handles? Well, if you like to start your day with oatmeal, you’re on the right track. All you need to do is give your healthy breakfast an upgrade. While oatmeal is a terrific breakfast, with 8 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein per cup, oat bran is a whole other level. It packs a whopping 18 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein, for the same number of calories. (What’s the difference between the two? Oat bran is made from the outer husks of the oat, while oatmeal is made from the inner portion.) Don’t screw it up by dumping brown sugar or syrup on it. Low-fat milk and cinnamon are the best additions to your diet to lose love handles. Love oats? Try out any of these best overnight oats recipes for weight loss!

The king of slow carbs (meaning they’re digested slowly and keep you feeling fuller and energized longer), sweet potatoes should be a diet staple. Among the magic ingredients here are carotenoids, antioxidants which stabilize blood-sugar levels and lower insulin resistance, which prevents calories from being converted into fat. And their high vitamin profile (including A, C and B6) give you more energy to burn at the gym.

To melt your love handles, look for a cereal with the most fiber and the least sugar (so none of the unhealthiest cereals on the planet). It’s hard to top a bowl of Shredded Wheat—it’s packing plenty of fiber, has zero sugar, and it’s one of the best commercial cereal brands for people specifically looking to lose fat around their midsections.

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Most commercially prepared soups, especially bisques and other smooth soups, have added sugar or other unsavory ingredients that will mess up your middle. Opt for thick, chunky soups like minestrone, which are higher in fiber and tend not to come with additional sugars. So enjoy a bowl—and avoid these bad habits that give you belly fat!

Also known as “forbidden rice” because only emperors were allowed to eat it, black rice may be the cheapest source of antioxidants around. According to the American Chemical Society, black rice has more antioxidants than a spoonful of blueberries, with more fiber, more vitamin E, and less sugar. More antioxidants means less inflammation, which means less fat storage for you.

White tea works in three distinct ways to help strip away fat from your body. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism showed that white tea can simultaneously boost lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and block adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells). Another group of researchers found that the tea is also a rich source of antioxidant that triggers the release of fat from the cells and help speed the liver’s ability to turn fat into energy.

High in fiber and low in fat, beans are a zero belly power food because they’re great source of resistant starch, meaning that they “resist” digestion, sticking around the digestive tract and helping you feel fuller longer. By feeding your healthy gut bugs, beans help your body generate the chemical butyrate, which encourages the body to burn fat as fuel. A study at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center even found that beans can lessen the accumulation of body fat. All beans do the trick, but the darker the bean, the greater its concentration of phytochemicals, which is why black is best.

This simple swap can make all the difference: Two corn tortillas can deliver 3 grams of fiber for a mere 80 calories and 1 gram of fat. Two flour tortillas will give you just 2 grams of fiber, but they’ll cost you 260 calories and 10 grams of fat. So which should you make your next quesadilla out of? At Mexican restaurants, ask them to replace the flour tortillas with corn in all your dishes.

In one Canadian study, subjects who were supplemented with a type of gut-healthy insoluble fiber called oligofructose not only lost weight in their love handles area, but also reported less hunger than those who received a placebo. Researchers discovered that the subjects who received the fiber had higher levels of ghrelin—a hormone that controls hunger—and lower levels of blood sugar. Jerusalem artichokes—which are actually the roots of a type of sunflower, hence the alternative name of “sunchoke”—are one of the best sources of the fiber. Ogliofructose is also found in onions and leeks, as well as rye and barley.

High in fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, guacamole is another love handles superfood. A half cup of guac—assuming you didn’t go and blow it by mixing in sour cream or something else that doesn’t belong—gives you more than 7 grams of fiber.

No animals were harmed in the making of this food! Tiger nuts are made neither of tigers nor of nuts; they’re actually tubers, which means people with nut allergies can eat them safely. They look a bit like toasted corn kernels and taste kind of like coconut. A serving of 20 tiger nuts delivers 4 grams of fiber for just 60 calories.

With double the protein and four times the fiber of wheat pasta, Banza—made from chickpeas—turns a traditional carb into a muscle-building fat fighter. For anyone avoiding gluten, it’s a better choice than pastas made from corn, rice or potato powder, which are often devoid of any real nutrition. And click here for a cheaper list of best proteins for weight loss—many meat-free!

It’s the Spanish term for pumpkin seed, and if you consider them just jack o’lantern insides, you’re in for a treat. One ounce of seeds has eight grams of protein—more than an egg or almonds—and is rich in flat-belly nutrients like fiber, zinc and potassium, which are key to muscle building and recovery. Sprinkle them in salads or over oats.

Looking for a cold, crunchy snack? Keep a bag of peas in the freezer and pour some into a cup for a filling nosh. A cup of peas has 7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, and because you pop them a few at a time, they’ll keep your hands and mouth busy, preventing you from seeking out more sinful treats.

Red fruits are always welcome in any diet, but even among these nutritional powerhouses, raspberries stand alone as the single best source of insoluble fiber. A cup of the little ruby jewels has 8 grams of fiber, compared to less than 3 grams in the same amount of strawberries. Insoluble fiber helps feed the healthy bacteria in your gut, triggering the production of a fatty acid that reduces fat-causing inflammation throughout your body. And in a Canadian study, researchers discovered that those whose diets were supplemented with insoluble fiber had higher levels of ghrelin—a hormone that controls hunger. And fuel up fast with the muscle-building protein in these best snacks for weight loss!

Resolve to do more prying. Oysters are one of the best food sources of zinc, a mineral that works with the hormone leptin to regulate appetite. Research shows that overweight people tend to have higher levels of leptin and lower levels of zinc than slimmer folk. A study published in the journal Life Sciences found that taking zinc supplements could increase leptin production in obese men by 142%! A half-dozen oysters only has 43 calories but provides 21% of your RDA of iron—deficiencies of which have been linked to a significant increase in fat gene expression.

A recent study found that antioxidants in cocoa prevented laboratory mice from gaining excess weight and actually lowered their blood sugar levels. And another study at Louisiana State University found that gut microbes in our stomach ferment chocolate into heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory compounds that shut down genes linked to insulin resistance and inflammation. To enhance the effects, try pairing your chocolate with some apple slices: The fruit speeds up the fermentation process, leading to an even greater reduction in inflammation and weight.

What’s unique about Ezekiel bread is that, unlike most brands, the company doesn’t use sugar in their loaves. With a combination of wheat, barley, millet, lentils, and spelt, this low-gluten brand packs 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber into every sandwich.

You see it sitting there every time you’re sitting around waiting for a massage. Spa water—a pitcher of ice water with sliced whole lemons, oranges or grapefruit—is a great substitute for pretty much anything else you might be tempted to drink. The citrus fruit peels add a compound called D-limonene, a powerful antioxidant that stimulates liver enzymes, helping to rid the body of toxins and flush fat from your system. And don’t forget: delicious smoothies really can help you lose weight!

As much as 92% of Americans eat a diet that’s deficient in vitamin E. And that trend seems highest among obese people, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Almonds are among the best dietary sources of vitamin E, packing about 20 milligrams per half cup, and are also high in monounsaturated fats and fiber, which is optimum for eliminating love handles.

It’s a complete protein, meaning that it contains the complete chain of amino acids that are necessary for muscle building and fat loss. (Brown rice is an incomplete protein.) In a study in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation, researchers discovered that patients who ingested higher amounts of vegetable protein were far less susceptible to metabolic syndrome (a combination of high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity). It’s also high in the amino acid lysine, which helps you burn fat and maintain healthy bones and skin. According to a study published in the journal Food Chemistry, quinoa has the highest level of betaine, a chemical that revs your metabolism and actually shuts down the genes that encourage love handles fat to hang around.

Like a marathoner stretching before the big run, eating half a grapefruit before a meal can enhance your body’s fat-burning performance, particularly when it comes to love handles. A study published in the journal Metabolism found that this “warm-up” tactic can help whittle your middle—by up to an inch—in just six weeks! The scientists attribute the powerful effects to the grapefruits’ fat-zapping phytochemicals. The fruit can interact negatively with certain medications, so as long as you get the green-light from your M.D, plan to have half of a grapefruit before your morning meal.

Polyunsaturated fats like those found in walnuts activate genes that reduce fat storage and improve insulin metabolism. At about 13 grams per one-ounce serving, walnuts are one of the best dietary sources. A small Pennsylvania State study found that a diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may help the body respond better to stress and can also help keep diastolic blood pressure levels down. For more invaluable tips, check out our exclusive best nutrition tips ever.

Tuna or to-not? That is the question. As a primo source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), canned light tuna is one of the best and most affordable fish for weight loss, especially from around your waist and love handles area! One study in the Journal of Lipid Research showed that omega 3 fatty acid supplementation had the profound ability to turn off fat genes. And while you’ll find two types of fatty acids in cold water fish and fish oils—DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)—researchers say DHA can be 40 to 70% more effective than EPA at down-regulating fat genes and preventing fat cells from expanding in size.

What exactly is purslane? While not a common food in most of the U.S., this sour, slightly salty green is often used in Greek and Turkish cooking. You can find it at health food stores throughout the year, and in farmers’ markets in spring and summer, but the most likely place you’ll encounter it is growing in the cracks of your driveway. A weed to most, it was a regular part of Gandhi’s diet, and a mere half cup has more than 1,000 IUs of fat-fighting vitamin A. This might be the cheapest stealth health food in the world!

Eggs can help you lose weight for a reason: They’re the single best dietary source of a fat-fighting nutrient called choline. But you can improve their fat-fighting powers by choosing omega-3 eggs. Omega-3 enriched eggs are laid by hens that are fed flaxseeds, chia seeds, and fish oil, thereby automatically improving your eggs! Whip up breakfast at home to reap the benefits, and uncover more ways to lose your belly in 14 days!

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