Have a workout every time you eat with these natural tummy trimmers, which will help you beat the bulge in no time!
Sure, healthy food seems like the obvious choice in the quest to slim down but did you know that certain foods can help whittle your waist more than others? Ironic, yes, but it turns out there’s a whole host of science behind it. Here are our top 10 ingredients to stock your pantry with.
Wholegrain oats
The road to a flatter tum starts with a gut-busting breakfast, and with wholegrain oats you eat less, but burn more. “Scientific evidence suggests wholegrain oats help trim your waist by improving gut health and metabolism to aid fat loss,” says nutritionist Emma Scott (nutrilife.uk.com). “Steel cut and rolled oats contain a particular soluble fibre that helps absorb water and slows digestion, which makes you feel fuller for longer by providing slow release energy. This fibre acts as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria and playing a vital role in controlling blood glucose, insulin, blood pressure and food intake.”
Blueberries
Already considered a superfood, it turns out a regular dose of blueberries can also help slash fat too according to a University of Michigan study. “Blueberries contain an antioxidant that appears to affect the speed at which we store and burn fat,” adds registered independent nutritionist Dr Laura Wyness (laurawyness.com).
Asparagus
It’s the special combination of insoluble and soluble fibre that makes asparagus such a good digestion aid. In fact, University of Toronto scientists suggest this fibrous double-whammy is the most effective way to stay ‘regular’. “Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, so helps with water retention,” says Dr Wyness. “And as a prebiotic, it helps the good bacteria in your gut flourish and promotes satiety.”
Yoghurt
People who ate 500g of this gut goddess every day lost 80 percent more tummy fat than those who only opted for a healthy diet without the yoghurt, according to a University of Tennessee study. But introduce it slowly. While fermented foods can be beneficial, they may initially add to bloating as you’re introducing a lot of new, albeit healthy microbes into the gut.
Avocado
This may be full of healthy fats, but it’s also a fat blaster too thanks to its higholeic oil content. A Penn State study found that people who consumed three tablespoons of avocado oil every day for four weeks lowered belly fat by 1.6 percent compared with others using different oils.
Fennel
Used by herbalists to improve digestion, fennel roots, leaves and seeds all have a soothing effect on the abdomen. “Fennel specifically helps with bloating, diarrhoea, gas, constipation and cramps,” says nutritional therapist Rika Kamper (conceptnutrition.co.uk). “I recommend fennel tea between meals as an anti-inflammatory.”
Banana
Potassium-rich bananas help the body excrete excess sodium through urine, which reduces fluid build-up that leads to puffiness. Rich in resistant starch, bananas also encourage the liver to switch to fat-burning mode.
Cucumber
Pumped with 96 percent water and the antioxidant quercetin, cucumbers are your go-to food for a slimmer tum. “They are also natural diuretics, stimulating your kidneys to produce more urine,” says Dr Wyness.
Cantaloupe melon
Melon is the number one food to munch on after an abs workout, thanks to its hydrating water content. “Your body is like a sponge straight after exercise, so it pays to eat sugary carbohydrates such as fructose and lactose within 30 minutes as they absorb faster,” says Emma. “Cantaloupe boasts significant diuretic properties that prevent water retention and bloating by flushing out excess water and sodium. It also acts as a natural electrolyte replacement due to its high potassium levels, and has been found to reverse leptin resistance – a hormone that signals to your brain when you’ve stored enough fat.”
Ginger
If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale to relieve nausea, you’ll know that this knobbly spice is full of gutfriendly properties. “Ginger is antiinflammatory so promotes better digestion, and is best consumed during and after a meal,” says Rika. “It is also anti-microbial, meaning it could help restore the probiotic balance in your gut.”