The sun comes back, the sleeves shortened, and with them, the desire to feel good in your body. However, despite all your efforts, this little belly remains hooked. Before incriminating lack of sport or metabolism, look in your cupboards. It may be certain everyday foods that prevent you from losing your stomach. Here are who, according to two specialists.
Transformed meat
Cold meats, bacon, chorizo, pancetta … These products seem harmless, especially during an aperitif or brunch, but they are actually formidable enemies of your flat stomach. Dr. Mrinal Pandit, dietician-nutritionist, explains that the nitrites and nitrates present in these meats promote chronic inflammation, responsible for storage of abdominal fat.
These foods are also rich in salt and saturated fats, aggravating factors of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The body, subject to these internal attacks, tends to react by storing more around the abdominal belt.
Pastries
Croissants, chocolate breads, apple slippers … Their odor is irresistible, but their effect on your waist is anything but light. Dr. Pandit recalls that these sweets cause rapid blood sugar peaks, resulting in an excess insulin that encourages the body to store fats, particularly at the abdomen.
Rich in refined sugars and trans fatty acids, these products also increase the risks of metabolic diseases. For a healthier breakfast, opt for wholemeal bread, oatmeal or natural yogurt with fresh fruit.
Fried foods
Whether it’s a crush of fries, donuts or breaded chicken, fried foods are real calorie bombs. Not only are they rich in trans fatty acids, but they also promote inflammation and lipid imbalances, two factors that slow down abdominal fat loss.
Dr. Pandit also points out that these foods often contain a large amount of salt, which can cause water retention and a sensation of bloating. Cooking at high temperature also releases the substances named age, linked to accelerated aging and chronic inflammation.
Potatoes
An aperitif without chips is possible, and even recommended. According to Joanna Wen, a nutritional coach, crisps are generally fried in poor quality oils, very salty, and devoid of fiber. Result: they do not satisfy, and make you want to take over again and again.
This lack of satiety leads to overconsumption, which leads to a calorie surplus. Add to that slow digestion and a strong glycemic load: the perfect recipe for accumulating fat in the belly.
Ice cream
Under their refreshing looks, frozen creams are real traps for your silhouette. Rich in added sugars and saturated fats, ice promotes fat storage and disrupts metabolism. Joanna Wen specifies that regular consumption of ice can lead to a localized weight gain on the abdomen.
Better to bet on lighter alternatives such as homemade sorbets, glazed yogurts without sugar or natural fruit smoothies.
Cookies
Another sweetness to be removed: cookies. Joanna Wen calls them real enemies of the flat stomach because they combine two problematic ingredients: white flour and refined sugar. This cocktail causes blood sugar levels and an insulin response that directly promote the storage of abdominal fat.
Another concern: their practical format often leads to overconsumption. We rarely eat a single one, which further amplifies the negative effects on the silhouette.
White bread
Often considered a staple food, white bread is however one of the main obstacles to effective fat loss. Dana Ellis Hunnes, dietician-nutritionist, alert to these refined carbohydrates, devoid of fibers, which cause peaks of sugar in the blood, followed by brutal falls. Result: cravings, fatigue and abdominal storage.
To support a flat stomach lens, favor breads to whole or sprouted cereals, rich in fiber and the glycemic index lower.