Research Points to Smarter Food Choices that Could Help You Shed Belly Fat

It's no secret that the foods you eat play a major role in determining your body weight. If you consistently gravitate toward questionable comestibles like fatty fare, sweet treats, and fast food, it's likely that you'll be facing an unpleasant number on the scale in the near future, if you're not already. On the other hand, if you make healthy food choices most of the time and your menus are full of selections like whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and lean proteins, chances are that you'll like what you see in the mirror.

For the most part, this is all common sense -- if you eat healthy foods, you're likely to have a healthy body weight, and vice versa. But according to recent research, the true relationship between food and weight may be a bit more complex.

Some recent studies have suggested that when it comes to maintaining a healthy body weight, not all foods are created equal. According to researchers, some types of foods -- such as simple carbohydrates -- actually encourage the body's weight-gaining mechanisms to kick into high gear. Other foods have been found to actually enhance weight loss. This week, we'll take a look at a few of the miraculous foods that researchers say can actually promote healthy weight loss.

Trying to Get Rid of Extra Weight Around Your Midsection? Add These Foods to Your Diet

Most men and women have a little more fat in their belly than they'd like. Cardiovascular exercise and trimming and toning calisthenics are both good ways to overcome a belly pooch, but scientists say that including a few special foods in your diet can also help your efforts.

Several recent studies conducted by researchers around the globe have identified foods most likely to reduce abdominal fat. The recommended foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamins A and C; foods with the mineral selenium, such as shrimp, salmon, tuna, cod, and barley; lean proteins, such as skinless chicken breast, egg whites, fish, and low-fat dairy sources; very moderate amounts of red wine; and "good" fats, such as the omega-3s found in foods such as fish and nuts. All of these foods have been linked to lower rates of concentrated belly fat in recent studies.

Breakfast Linked With Less Belly Fat

Your mother always told you to get the day started right with a healthy breakfast, but she probably didn't know that a hearty morning meal could melt abdominal fat, too. Although it may seem counterintuitive, researchers at the National Weight Control Registry have found that the vast majority of men and women who have lost more than 30 pounds and kept it off for over a year report eating breakfast everyday.

Furthermore, it was also found that those who eat breakfast have less fat concentrated in the abdominal region than their counterparts who typically skip morning meals. But as you would probably expect, these trends don't hold true among those whose breakfast menus are laden with carbs, "bad" fats, and extra calories. In fact, the most pronounced weight loss effects were seen among those who ate lean proteins for breakfast, such as egg white omelets.

To Lose Belly Fat, Avoid Trans Fats, Researchers Say

The old conventional wisdom about dieting and nutrition held that all fats should be avoided. However, in recent years, scientists have come to believe that some fats are better than others. For example, a slew of new studies have proven that the healthy omega-3 fats found in nuts, seeds, and some fish have a wide array of health benefits.

On the other hand, researchers have determined that trans fats -- the highly processed oils that are found in many types of junk foods, snack items, and fast foods -- are disproportionately unhealthy. One recent study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University found that diets high in trans fats were consistent with a high level of abdominal fat. Furthermore, this type of fat is highly resistant to traditional weight loss techniques such as calorie restriction and exercise.

If you're trying to lose stubborn weight around your midsection, it may help to incorporate more of these proven belly-shrinking foods into your diet. Check back each week for the breaking research news that can help boost the success of your quest for better health.