Taking Aim at Belly Fat - Harvard Health Publishing - Harvard Health (2023)

FAQs

What are the 5 foods that burn belly fat? ›

Exercise and dieting helps you lose belly fat

The starting point for bringing weight under control, in general, and combating abdominal fat, in particular, is regular moderate-intensity physical activity — at least 30 minutes per day (and perhaps up to 60 minutes per day) to control weight and lose belly fat.

As part of a 2019 study, researchers followed 19 adults with metabolic syndrome whose meals were spread over a 14-hour window and found limiting meals to a 10-hour window (followed by 14 hours of fasting) was associated with weight loss, smaller waist circumference, lower blood pressure and LDL “bad” cholesterol.

If you're looking to banish belly fat and get a six-pack, there are two vegetables you should definitely include in your diet: broccoli and cauliflower. Both of these veggies contain high levels of fiber, which has been shown to help reduce abdominal fat storage ( 1 , 2 ).

Lemon water can promote fullness, support hydration, boost metabolism, and increase weight loss. However, lemon water is no better than regular water when it comes to losing fat. That being said, it is tasty, easy to make, and can be used as a low-calorie replacement for high-calorie beverages.

Pineapple and Papaya: These two tropical fruits contain the enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and shrinks belly fat.

The key is to lower your overall body fat with moderate-intensity physical activity and a healthy diet; when you reduce your total body fat, you'll also be reducing your belly fat. So if you want to do abdominal exercises, make them part of your fitness routine.

1. PhenQ: Best Thermogenic Fat Burner Overall. PhenQ is rated as one of the best fat burning pills on the market. According to the manufacturer, PhenQ works in five different ways to attack stubborn belly fat, boost your body's metabolism, and kickstart your weight loss journey.

Does coffee break intermittent fasting? ›

Can You Drink Coffee While Intermittent Fasting? The short answer is yes, you can drink coffee while intermittent fasting. But, this answer comes with a big caveat: You can drink black coffee while intermittent fasting, but coffee drinks with cream, sugar, or other forms of calories technically break your fast.

Fat burning typically begins after approximately 12 hours of fasting and escalates between 16 and 24 hours of fasting.

As a guide, stop eating two to three hours before bed to avoid weight gain. Finishing meals earlier than this may help boost weight loss.

1. Spinach And Other Leafy Greens. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well.

Weight or resistance training is the best way to lose belly fat after 65. As mentioned earlier, burning belly fat can be challenging in this age group due to muscle loss. By doing resistance training exercises, you develop more muscle mass that helps your body burn more calories even at rest (1).

B-complex vitamins: These help metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, activating stored energy instead of letting it turn to fat. Niacin, vitamin B-6, and iron: This impressive trio increases your body's production of the amino acid L-carnitine to help burn fat.

If you want to lose some weight, especially around your tummy, start adding cinnamon to your diet. Why? It suppresses appetite, regulates blood sugar levels, lowers your cholesterol and speeds up your metabolism, in addition to torching belly fat.

. Reduces inflammation and cleanses the system – Drinking lemon water regularly decreases acidity in your body and removes uric acid from joints. It enhances enzyme function, stimulating your liver and activating bile flow, which helps emulsify and flush out fat soluble toxins.

#1.

Avocados top the list of fruits that have a high-fat content, but they are on the top of the list of fat burning fruits as well. Avocadoes helps to increase certain hormones that aid weight loss and also inform our brain that our stomach is full, thus helping to prevent unhealthy food cravings.

What is a fat burning drink? ›

Heat 1 cup of water and add 2 tsp cinnamon powder to it. Let it cool down for a while. Once it gets to lukewarm, add 1 tbsp of honey. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice. Mix well and your fat-burning drink is ready.

Such fat-burning foods include eggs, nuts, and oily fish. The term “fat-burning foods” may apply to those that produce fat loss by stimulating metabolism, reducing appetite, or reducing overall food intake. All foods stimulate metabolism.

Research shows that people who eat eggs in the morning lose more weight and belly fat than those who opt for high carb foods like bagels or cereal. (These foods will fight belly fat, too.)

The best fruits to eat at night for weight loss are melons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. These have good water content and are less in calories. Therefore, apart from satisfying your sweet tooth, they will also help in losing weight.

Sass recommends eating a healthy, balanced, plant-based diet. “Plant foods rich in monounsaturated fat — avocado and avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, whole Mediterranean olives and olive tapenade, nuts and nut butter — as part of a healthy balanced diet may help reduce belly fat,” she says.

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.

Studies show that consuming junk food and processed foods with synthetic additives are the leading cause of high belly fat and obesity. Additionally, foods rich in sugar and Omega 6 fatty acids, excessive drinking, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle are equally likely to cause high belly fat levels.

What organ burns the most fat? ›

It sounds too good to be true, but it is scientific fact. Recently the British Medical Journal published the findings of two scientists from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Their study showed that we breathe away more than 80 percent of our fat via our lungs. The science behind it?

Take B Vitamins Every Day

Experts have found that B vitamins improve your metabolism to help your body burn through fat and protein more effectively. There are a wide range of B vitamins, though the one you should focus on for boosting metabolism are vitamins B-6 and B-12.

B12 promotes Metabolism

It helps the body convert fats. It helps reduce fat stores and aids in weight loss.

A low calorie drink

About 100 grams of apple cider vinegar has about 22 calories, which means it makes for a low-calorie drink that can help boost weight loss. Adding a tablespoon of ACV into a glassful of water and drinking first thing in the morning may help burn belly fat.

The truth about lemon water and intermittent fasting

Long story short - the answer to the question “Does lemon water break a fast?” is no, lemon water does not break a fast. Lemon water contains almost no calories and zero sugars, it doesn't raise insulin levels, which means it will not break your fast (1).

Adding a little dose of creamer to your coffee is acceptable and will not completely break your fast, but rather might just slow down your fat-burning state.

Does sleeping count as fasting? A. Yes, while following intermittent fasting, sleeping is considered a fasting period. Therefore, one does not consume food or drinks during this state.

After the first week of intermittent fasting, you'll probably notice less bloating and a tighter, slimmer look and feel to your midsection. Some people will enjoy some weight loss by week two, but don't be discouraged if your weight scale hasn't budged. Continue for another 4-6 weeks, and you should see changes.

Does drinking water help you lose weight? ›

Water can be really helpful for weight loss. It is 100% calorie-free, helps you burn more calories and may even suppress your appetite if consumed before meals. The benefits are even greater when you replace sugary beverages with water. It is a very easy way to cut back on sugar and calories.

The Clock-Weight Connection

That being said, while the body doesn't fiendishly stockpile food as fat when the clock strikes 6 p.m., eating at night is linked to weight gain. And limiting late-night eating has been shown to result in weight loss, too.

Studies indicate that a diet rich in high protein foods, such as eggs, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, meat, and dairy results in overall less abdominal fat, more satiety, and an increased metabolic function. Adding fiber-rich foods to meals is also a key in keeping off the body fat.

4. Bananas: Though high in calories, bananas are a great flat belly fruit. Bananas are rich in healthy fibers that help curb appetite and make the body burn fat. The indigestible fibers that are present in bananas, or a resistant starch, block the carbohydrates from being absorbed by the body.

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.

What fruit can I eat everyday to lose weight? ›

African mango supplements are derived from the seeds of the African mango fruit that grows on the Irvingia gabonensis tree. They are reported to cause weight loss but there is currently only low-quality evidence to support this claim. African Mango is most often used forFat Loss.

Ans. The best fruits to eat at night for weight loss are melons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. These have good water content and are less in calories. Therefore, apart from satisfying your sweet tooth, they will also help in losing weight.