“I started the Mediterranean Diet about the middle of June. To date, I have lost 2 pant sizes! (THIS IS EVEN WITH A 3 1/2 WEEK VACATION TO ITALY!!) I am extremely happy with the diet. I just keep using the 28-day meal plan menus over and over. Thank you, Karen Walker (*)”
It’s not unusual to see hundreds of emails like this pop up on our email box every day.
And starting from today, you too could pleasure all your cravings, satisfy your hunger attacks and shed those unwanted pounds from your stomach, hips and thighs on autopilot!
Let’s be honest, carrying extra pounds isn’t as simple as aesthetics, it can harm your health as well. Belly fat has been linked to cardiovascular problem, diabetes, liver failure, and even depression and dementia.
To help you lose inches and improve your health, we’ve compiled the best tips from our readers who have reached their ideal weight without giving up their favorite foods…Enjoy!
THE #1 SOUP FOR A FLAT BELLY
Research has found that eating a cup of vegetable soup with broth eaten before a meal can help you fill up faster and consume fewer calories.
BEAT BELLY BLOAT
Simply reducing bloat can make a significant difference in your stomach. Some people can do this by eliminating gluten while others get great results by cutting out dairy.
Even if you don’t have any food sensitivities, simply eating less salt and consuming more potassium-rich foods like bananas, figs, and avocados could help you debloat.
VINEGAR…THE SUGAR BLOCKER
As your blood sugar increases, your body responds by secreting insulin. As insulin production increases, so does fat storage.
Vinegar could help keep your blood sugar stable so you don’t have the spikes that trigger insulin.
Try stirring a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and sprinkling a bit of cinnamon on top. Cinnamon is also great for stabilizing blood sugar.
Or try a cup of hot water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, half a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of raw honey. This will help curb your appetite and reduce water retention.
SWEETEN WITH CINNAMON
A study published in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics found that lab animals given cinnamon accumulated less body fat than a control group.
Try adding cinnamon to your breakfast cereals, oats or even sprinkle some in your coffee, it’s awesome!
AFTERNOON SNACKING
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that approximately two-thirds of adults snack twice a day, some more often, which can increase belly fat.
You don’t have to forego the snacks in order to snack less, just change the time of day you snack.
Research found in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that those who snack in the afternoon consume less throughout the day than those who snack in the morning.
In addition, those who snack in the afternoon were more likely to snack on fruits, vegetables, and other high fiber snacks.
SNACK ON NUTS
Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, and other nuts are all great sources of protein and fiber.
Protein and fiber can both help you feel full and avoid crashes that can give you the urge to binge.
– Sprinkle ground cumin into a handful of roasted almonds and have it for snack instead of high-carb snacks.
– Eat dark chocolate-covered almonds. According to a Swiss research, eating dark chocolate reduces stress. It also lowers blood pressure naturally. Meanwhile, almonds are rich in metabolism-boosting protein and healthy MUFAs (mono- unsaturated fats), which another study linked to less belly fat.
