Want a smaller midsection? Eat — we kid you not. As absurd as it may sound, there are foods out there that are equipped with tummy-taming properties by either containing fat-burning nutrients, supporting digestion or ridding excess fluid retention. In other words, these foods are good news for your waistline.
Make sure you add these 10 waist-shrinking foods onto your shopping list the next time you hit the grocery store.
1. Watermelons
A watermelon contains about 92% water content and is a natural diuretic packed with minerals and vitamins. It helps to flush out extra fluid in our system, which can significantly cut down water weight and puffiness.
2. Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of fat-combating nutrients like Vitamin B12, D and Choline. They work to break down fat cells and boost up our metabolism to burn fat, including abdominal fat. Most of these nutrients are found in egg yolks, so opt to eat one whole egg a day for optimal benefits.
3. Mushrooms
As quoted by Shape.com, a study from the University of Minnesota reveals that subjects with higher levels of Vitamin D in their systems “were tied to a greater loss of belly fat” — exactly what we’re looking for. Mushrooms are the only natural plant source of Vitamin D, and they make the perfect accompaniment to most dishes.
4. Blueberries
Here’s one more reason why you should add blueberries into your granola bowl. A study by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center suggests that eating blueberries can help you take away that belly fat, as well as minimize the possibilities of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
5. SkinnyMint Night Cleanse Tea
Our Night Cleanse Tea not only relaxes and soothes you, it works to improve bowel movements the morning after. This means bloated tummy no more!
6. Asparagus
Another natural diuretic, asparagus is a great low-calorie green option that packs a punch in taking the bloat away from the belly. It contains prebiotic and fiber, which help to prevent flatulence and maintain a healthy digestive system. It also features anti-inflammatory properties, which can guard against GI irritation that is linked to constipation or diarrhoea or both.
7. Olive Oil
Monounsaturated fats in olive oil play a big role in the burning and storage of fat in our bodies. These healthy fats also keep our blood sugar levels under control, which are largely associated with controlling our appetite and minimizing fat accumulation at our abdominal area. Remember: exercise moderation. One tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories.
8. Cucumbers
If you’re familiar with using cucumbers to reduce puffiness under the eyes, you might also want to add cucumbers into your diet — consuming cucumbers can help you take the bump off the belly. High in water and low in calories, cucumbers are another diuretic that keep you hydrated and free from nasty water retention.
9. Beans
Beans keep you fuller longer, and help to torch fats while building muscles with protein-rich content. This vegetable also helps to regulate digestion, keeping an expanding waistline at bay. However, here’s the catch: eating beans makes you prone to passing wind, so we suggest that you steer clear of them before a big date.
10. Nut Butters
Heart-healthy nuts like almonds and walnuts are powered by a great amount of monounsaturated fats, which as you have learnt earlier help to manage fat burn and storage in your body. Also over-the-top in proteins, nuts maintain muscle developments and reduce our waist sizes in the long run. We like to ground them into butter form for spread.