5 Nigerian foods that increase belly fat
Some meals should be avoided if you are trying to burn the fat in your tummy.
Fat in the belly and abdominal area is a major problem for a lot of Nigerians.
A man is deemed to have abdominal obesity once his belly is sized at over 40 inches while it is 35 inches for women.
If you want to get rid of your belly fat, here are five easy ways to achieve that.
1. Reduce carbs intake especially at night and eat more proteinous foods
Fish, eggs, cheese, milk, will help destroy that stubborn belly fat in no time.
Studies have shown that carbohydrates lead to 2-3 times more weight loss than low-fat diets. Eba, akpu, Fufu and all our really heavy foods are too starchy and full of carbs, it just adds more to your belly fat. Eating it in a controlled way (little servings) should help shed that weight.
Consider cooking your foods in coconut oil. Some studies have shown that 30 mL (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil per day reduces belly fat slightly.
2. Reduce alcohol intake
Alcohol can have health benefits in small amounts, but it is seriously harmful if you drink too much.
Observational studies link heavy alcohol consumption with significantly increased risk of central obesity — that is, excess fat storage around the waist.
Cutting back on alcohol may help reduce your waist size.
3. Runaway from sugar
Say goodbye to all your sugar-sweetened drinks and foods. No more Coca-Cola, Pepsi, fruit juices and all the junks you eat in traffic and at home.
When you eat a lot of refined sugar, the liver gets overloaded with fructose and is forced to turn it all into fat. Large amounts of fructose can lead to increased accumulation of fat in the belly.
Even foods marketed as health foods can contain huge amounts of sugar.
4. Eat lots of vegetables, fibre and cereals
Spinach, Broccoli, peas, black beans, pears, all these are really affordable and within reach.
Cut that belly fat without breaking the bank. The best way to get more fiber is to eat a lot of plant foods like vegetables and fruit. Legumes are also a good source, as well as some cereals like oats.
5. Include apple cider vinegar to your diet
Drinking apple cider vinegar has impressive health benefits, including reducing abdominal fat storage.
Taking 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per day is safe for most people and may lead to a modest fat loss.
Tags: Alcohol Belly fat Fruits Healthy Vegetables