Thread: Flat Belly Diet Jump Start

These are some foods to avoid for a flatter tummy! I didn't actually know that some of these cause the stomach to bloat. Now we know and it's to avoid them

Salt
Avoid the salt shaker, salt-based seasonings, and highly processed foods. Water is attracted to sodium, so when you take in higher than usual amounts, you’ll temporarily retain more fluid which contributes to a sluggish feeling, a puffy appearance, and extra water weight.

Excess Carbs
As a backup energy source, your muscles store a type of carbohydrate called glycogen. Every gram of glycogen is stored with about 3 grams of water. But unless you're running a marathon tomorrow, you don't need all this stockpiled fuel. Decrease your carbohydrate intake to temporarily train your body to access this stored fuel and burn it off. At the same time, you'll get rid of the excess stored fluid.

Bulky Raw Foods
A half-cup serving of cooked carrots delivers the same nutrition as one cup raw, but it takes up less room in your GI tract. Eat only cooked vegetables, smaller portions of unsweetened dried fruit, and canned fruits in natural juice. This will allow you to meet your nutrient needs without expanding your GI tract with extra volume.

Gassy Foods
Certain foods simply create more gas in your GI tract. They include legumes, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, peppers, and citrus fruits.

Chewing Gum
You probably don't realize this, but when you chew gum, you swallow air. All that air gets trapped in your GI tract and causes pressure, bloating, and belly expansion.

Sugar Alcohols
These sugar substitutes, which go by the names xylitol or maltitol, are often found in low-calorie or low-carb products like cookies, candy, and energy bars because they taste sweet. Like fiber, your GI tract can’t absorb most of them. That's good for your calorie bottom line, but not so good for your belly. Sugar alcohols cause gas, abdominal distention, bloating, and diarrhea. Avoid them.

Fried Foods
Fatty foods, especially the fried variety, are digested more slowly, causing you to feel heavy and bloated.
On the Flat Belly Diet you'll eat fats, but you'll eat the healthy kind--MUFAs (short for monounsaturated fatty acids)--that target hard-to-lose visceral belly fat. MUFAs can be found in oils (such as olive oil), olives, nuts and seeds, avocado, and dark chocolate. Yum!

Spicy Foods
Foods seasoned with black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, Chili powder, hot sauces, onions, garlic, mustard, barbecue sauce, horseradish, catsup, tomato sauce, or vinegar can all stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation.

Carbonated Drinks
Where do you think all those bubbles end up? They gang up in your belly!
Swap these beverages for delicious Sassy Water (the Flat Belly Diet's signature drink). You’ll enjoy this soothing, flavorful water on the jumpstart and can continue drinking it throughout the diet (many Flat Belly Dieters do!).

High-Acid Drinks
Alcohol, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and acidic fruit juices: Each of these high-acid beverages can irritate your GI tract, causing swelling.
You can have these drinks in moderation after the jumpstart if you choose.

Yeah you are right viktoria! I have already heard some of these before and it does keep us bloated. The most common is eating food with too much salt and drinking carbonated drinks. I am such a fan of sodas so it was such a struggle for me at first. I don't consume too much soda anymore so as a replacement, I drink flavored water and green tea. I was also s fan of fried foods especially french fries and fried chicken but I am now reverting to mashed potato and steamed chicken and it is as delicious too

I really like the post. Thanks for sharing us these helpful tips. I didn't know most of these can cause the belly to bloat. It's good to know so I can reduce my soda condumption. I am not a junk food fan but I love chocolates so much. I make sure though that they are dark because it's richer in anti-oxidant properties. I thought that drinking teas doesn't have side effects. I just learned that it is also high in acid.

I know already know that salt, spicy foods, and sodas cause our body to bloat. Teas and hot cocoa however are really very rich in acid that is why we need to take it in moderation. I didn't know though that there are some vegetables that are gassy like broccoli and cauliflower which are my personal favorite. This means that I have to lessen my consumption then

This is not a problem to me because I am already avoiding these foods. I count calories on every food that I eat and I avoid sweets. I think the last time that I ate chocolate was 3 years ago. I have not taken even one bite at all. It seems hard if I just think about it but I have to say that it's really worth it. I guess it's just about weighing which is more important to you, and I choose not to get tempted and not gain weight anymore. That is what motivates me and that's what pushes me to still go on with my own personal diet.

I am impressed! I don't think I can ever give up eating chocolates . I think I'm not that worried because I don't gain weight that fast because I avoid junk foods and softdrinks. I am actually motivated to give up the super size meals so I can keep enjoying chocolates and still stay fit . I don't forget to exercise either and to drink plenty of water. For me it's a matter of balancing than depreiving myself of foods that I want to eat.

I agree that if you know how to balance your diet, you will never go wrong. I however have made a choice of eating the right food. Instead of having ice cream, I choose to enjoy the healthier option which is yogurt. I bake my potatoes instead of eating fried ones. I drink sparkling water instead of softdrinks or sodas. And instead of munching on chips, I eat cereals instead. It still feels you up and satisfies you the same way yet you don't feel guilty.

These are great tips for our members. I'm sure this will also help them choose to eat right. I have to admit that I still give in to super size meals once in a while, but I make sure that pay for it by exercising more and drinking lots and lots of water. I don't want to be hard on myself and stop eating my favorite foods. I still choose to have them occasionally. I think there is nothing wrong with that as long as you don't make it a habit