By eating the right snacks, you can eat your way to a flatter stomach.
There’s a myth that to get a washboard stomach you have to do hundreds of sit-ups per day and skip snacks/meals – but simply put, it’s all about consuming the right types of food.
Try these top five snack choices for starters:
DARK CHOCOLATE
Yes, indeed – you did read this right.
Dark chocolate is packed with various minerals such as potassium, zinc and selenium – all of which can boost your overall health.
The consumption of cocoa can also reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and because dark chocolate contains less calories, it has more weight loss benefits than normal dairy milk varieties.
Recent studies also found that dark chocolate can help blood flow and prevent white blood cells sticking to the walls of blood vessels.
Chocolate, obviously, is high in fat – but if eaten in moderation, the darker variety certainly has its advantages.
EGGS
Studies have proven that eggs are a great protein-rich food to have for breakfast and will make you feel fuller throughout the day. As a result, you’ll resist the urge to eat and eat.
The fact they are extremely fulfilling, especially when you start your day with eggs, means you’ll likely to need less calories to keep your energy levels high.
AVOCADOS
Although high in regular fat, Avocados contain monosaturated fatty acids – which reduce so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Avocados are also rich in important minerals such as vitamin E, iron and potassium.
In addition, the fruit contains fibre, including both soluble and insoluble types, enabling the slower breakdown of carbohydrates into your bloodstream – spreading out energy stores over the course of your day.
BERRIES
The sub-heading is slightly mis-leading as other fruits apply here, too – such as grapes and strawberries.
They all contain anthocyanins, which is simply a pigment that gives fruits like berries different colours. Importantly, though, the pigments (plant chemicals) attack belly fat in your body and will help you get that flat stomach you’re after.
APPLES
It’s a cliche but one apple a day can help keep the doctor away.
Eating an apple is a perfect snack and contains lots of fibre and vitamins, which will stem the flow of hunger in your body.