‘SEE’ continues in this section advising its readers with nutrition tips that help them with living a healthy life. This week’s tip is on the food and beverages that cause an increase in the abdominal size. The generous content is analyzed by Dr. Hisham Elamry, Professor of nutrition, member at the American Society of Nutrition, member at Egyptian British Society for the Study of Obesity Diseases. He holds a General Diploma in Sports Nutrition from the American Society of Health.
- Sugar
The consumption of food rich in sugar such as cakes, sweets and soda, are associated with increased abdominal fat, for they contain high percentage of fractus, which reduces the rate of fats burning.
- Less movement
Our modern lifestyle implies less bodily movement, that is, watching television or using cars and computers get us to rely less on the movement of our bodies most of the day. This increases the the chances of obesity, especially at the abdominal area. In addition, losing weight in a diet without exercise increases abdominal laxity and fats again , It is better to exercise when you follow the diet and after, to prevent the re-formation of fats.
- Consuming less protein
Getting enough protein through meals is one of the most important factors to prevent gaining weight. Protein helps you feel full and satisfied, increase your burning rate, and decrease your concentration of fats in the abdomen.
- Tension and increased cortisol
Cortisol is called a “stress hormone” that helps the body cope with stress, but a lot of it may increase the weight especially at the abdominal area. Tension, also, may cause eating disorder for some people and accordingly, get them to lose control and start eating all the time, and thus turns the body excess calories into fats.
- Lack of leafy food
Leafs help control weight, because they lead to feeling full, and stabilize hunger hormones, which in turn reduce caloric absorption, and improves appetite. Poor diets, based on repeated grains only, increase the concentration of fats at the abdomenal area.
** You can get rid of abdominal fat by:
– following a healthy diet: based on increasing portions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with adequate protein and low fats products.
– Reduce the amount of sugar and soft -soda drinks, and replace them with drinking water.
– Divide meals into smaller meals, that is, avoid eating a big meal at once.
– Insert physical activities into your daily routine, such as aerobics or walking for 150 minutes a week, with body exercises twice a week.
