Health Network News

It seems it’s most difficult to lose stomach weight, does not it? No matter how many sit-ups or crunches you are doing, you simply can’t seem to get rid of it. Well, getting rid of that stomach weight, unfortunately, requires more than just exercises. You have to eat foods that are not only low in fat, but they help burn fat, too. Believe it or not, there are certain foods you can eat that can help in you battle of the bulge. Foods that are high in protein and fiber, and low in sugar and saturated fats can help you lose that stomach weight in no time.

Bread - You ought to choose a whole grain or whole wheat bread, so make sure the word “whole” is on the label. Don’t accept “Enriched grain” or “multigrain” on the label. These typically contain white flour as their main ingredient.|If the label only says “Enriched grain” or “multigrain” then it often contains plain white flour as the main ingredient and this is one ingredient you want to avoid.

Do not be fooled by that word “Grain” on the label, either. I used to work in a bakery where we made our bread from scratch. The most well-liked bread we sold was a “multi-grain” bread. Everybody insisted it was the healthiest bread we had and folks really got angry if we ran out. What were they supposed to eat?! We couldn’t expect them to buy WHITE bread! It’s so unhealthy! Well, you know what? That “Multi-grain” bread was made with good, old-fashioned, right out of the bag, enriched white flour. The most worthless food product you can eat. But because that label said “Multi-Grain” everyone thought it was some kind of health food. And I could never convince them otherwise.

Cereal - Just like bread, the first ingredient on the label ought to be some kind of whole grain.. Look for cereal that has around 2.5 grams of fat and is either low in sugar or has no sugar added. If you prefer your cereal sweetened, try adding a banana or some frozen blueberries or strawberries.

Granola is not necessarily a healthy food so do not be fooled by the word “granola” on the label. It’s usually just a snack food. And when it first came out, it was all natural. However nowadays granola typically has sugar of high fructose corn syrup (one of the WORST things you can eat when you’re trying to lose stomach weight!). Some granolas even have chocolate chips or M&Ms in them. But folks think it’s a health food because it’s the word “granola” on the label.

Meats - When choosing beef, Select cuts are leaner than Choice cuts. If you don’t see any labeled “Select” ask your butcher if there’s any available. When you’re shopping for pork, search for loin or round cuts - they are leaner. Select meats that have had most of the fat removed. And preparing your meats by grilling, baking, broiling or roasting is much, much better for your weight loss plan than frying. Whenever possible, replace the chicken and beef in your recipes with turkey, especially if it’s ground beef that your recipe calls for. Your family probably won’t even notice the difference.

Fruits - Fresh, raw, organic fruit is the best. Organic foods haven’t been exposed to any pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. These chemicals will build up as powerful toxins in your body and do more harm then good. If organic isn’t available, always be certain to clean your fruit before you eat it. Following a healthy and nutritious diet plan will help you quickly lose that stomach weight.