Eat Your Way To A Flat Tummy – No Crunches Required

These foods will not only help burn belly fat, they also boast many other health benefits

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flat tummy foods no crunches required
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Flat Tummy Foods: No crunches required

If you haven’t seen any changes in your midsection, despite doing lots of core workouts, perhaps it’s time to re-think your approach. You might just need to eat more of these flat-tummy foods.

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flat tummy green tea
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Flat Tummy Foods: Green tea

Green tea is a powerful metabolism stimulator: Drinking it frequently can help to accelerate weight loss. Not only that, but antioxidants in green tea may inhibit the absorption of fat.

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flat tummy foods olive oil
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Flat Tummy Foods: Olive oil

The main benefit of olive oil, and there are many, is that it lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and raises “good” HDL cholesterol, thanks to its monounsaturated fats. Olive oil is also packed with antioxidants called phenols, which may protect artery walls from cholesterol buildup.

Researchers even discovered recently that olive oil acts as an anti-inflammatory, which further protects your heart, and the rest of your body, too.

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flat tummy foods lemon water
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Flat Tummy Foods: Lemon

If you’re trying to lose weight, replace beverages such as pop, alcohol and sweetened and unsweetened fruit drinks (which are full of calories) with plain water and a slice of lemon. Not only does lemon have a lot of flavour, it also contains vitamin C.

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flat tummy foods cinnamon
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Flat Tummy Foods: Cinnamon

A U.S. study found that it can reduce blood glucose, which may stave off diabetes. Cinnamon is also a carminative, which helps prevent bloating, and it is packed with antioxidants.

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flat tummy foods chicken
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Flat Tummy Foods: Chicken

Since chicken is a lean meat, it’s a good source of protein without too much fat.

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flat tummy foods chai tea
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Flat Tummy Foods: Green chai tea

The spices in chai tea add lots of flavour without calories, so you’re less likely to add sweetener. Not only that, but if you make it at home you can choose which milk to add, so you can control the fat content. Green tea will also boost your metabolism.

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flat tummy foods cucumber
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Flat Tummy Foods: Cucumber

Crunchy and satisfying, cucumbers are not only hydrating, they can also make you feel full with very few calories.

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flat tummy foods eat more bran
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Flat Tummy Foods: Bran

Cut the calories and increase the fibre of your usual cereal by replacing it all (or half) of it with bran. And even if you’re not craving a bowl of cereal, All-Bran makes a great breakfast smoothie topper.

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flat tummy foods yogurt
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Flat Tummy Foods: Yogurt

Yogurt is very high in calcium and B vitamins. It’s also a protein superstar- 3/4 cup delivers nine grams.

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flat tummy foods legumes
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Flat Tummy Foods: Legumes

Legumes are among our most nutritious plant foods, high in protein, B-complex vitamins, iron, potassium, and other minerals. They provide large amounts of fiber, including the soluble type that is important in controlling blood cholesterol levels. If you’re trying to lose weight, the fibre helps give legumes a one-two punch. First it helps you feel full faster. Then, the blood sugar effect helps stave off hunger for longer.

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flat tummy foods turmeric
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Flat Tummy Foods: Turmeric

Recent years have seen an explosion of research into curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric. Studies have shown it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities.

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flat tummy foods quinoa
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Flat Tummy Foods: Quinoa

This powerhouse whole grain has more protein than other grains (eight grams per cooked cup/250 mL) and, like brown rice, is bursting with fibre, B vitamins, copper, manganese and magnesium.

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flat tummy foods pears
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Flat Tummy Foods: Pears

With a pear’s smooth texture, you might not realize that a medium one delivers five grams of total fibre, for 20 percent of your daily needs. The flesh contains mostly soluble fibre (about three grams), including pectin, which lowers LDL, otherwise known as “bad” cholesterol. As well, a University of Illinois study published this year found that soluble fibre can boost the immune system.

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flat tummy foods dark chocolate
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Flat Tummy Foods: Dark chocolate

A recent study shows that people who eat chocolate frequently tend to have a lower body mass index. Not only that, but scientists suggest that its antioxidant properties may help boost metabolism.

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flat tummy foods berries
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Flat Tummy Foods: Berries

Not only are berries high in vitamins and fibre, they also help fight disease. Berries are some of nature’s best sources of antioxidants, which guard against heart disease, cancer and age-related blindness.

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flat tummy foods leeks
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Flat Tummy Foods: Leeks

A landmark clinical trial done in North Dakota in the 1990s showed that women who ate high amounts of manganese in their daily diet had fewer mood swings and cramps than those who consumed the least. The onion family contains this essential mineral: Just a ½ cup (125 mL) of leeks has 13 percent of your daily needs of manganese, which will help beat bloat.

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flat tummy foods salmon
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Flat Tummy Foods: Salmon

All types of salmon are high in omega-3s, ranging from about 750 mg to 1,270 mg per 75-gram serving. They are also a good source of vitamin D, with one serving providing 100 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA)-and the bones in canned salmon provide calcium.

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flat tummy foods miso
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Flat Tummy Foods: Miso

Miso contains probiotics, which keep the lining of the colon healthy and may improve gut motility and sensation.

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flat tummy foods eggs
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Flat Tummy Foods: Eggs

A study carried out by the Rochester Center for Obesity Research found that eating eggs for breakfast helps limit your calorie intake all day, by more than 400 calories. That means you could lose three pounds or more per month.

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flat tummy foods greens
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Flat Tummy Foods: Greens

In addition to protecting your eyes from age-related macular degeneration, thanks to its carotenoids, spinach has high concentrations of vitamin K, which can help maintain bone density and prevent fractures. The green stuff is also a powerful source of potassium and magnesium as well as folate, all of which can keep blood pressure low, reducing the risk of stroke.

Related:

The Worst Foods for Bloating

8 Normal Reasons Your Belly Is Bloated (and 4 Times to Worry)

Relieve Gas, Indigestion and Belly Bloat with Activated Charcoal

Originally Published in Stop & Drop Diet

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