Extra weight around the middle can be challenging to shed due to a lethal combination of hormones, genetics and lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise.
However, it is not impossible to slim down around the midsection by making the necessary modifications and building metabolism-boosting muscle.
Model and influencer Alia (@alia.abk) shared her tips on what foods to cut out of your diet to lose the extra pounds.
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Alia told followers the foods she avoids in her diet
|@alia.abk/TikTok
Protein bars may seem like a sure-fire way to assist your weight loss journey. However, Alia explained that this may not be the case due to their ultra-processed nature.
Ultra-processed foods, as defined by the British Heart Foundation, "typically have more than one ingredient that you never or rarely find in a kitchen".
The experts added: "They also tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. These foods generally have a long shelf life."
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Once she cut out protein powders and bars, the model noticed that her weight and gut health improved, including reduced bloating.
“Now I love protein powders, but what I was realising was that I was so bloated and didn’t know why. A lot of the reason was protein bars,” she shared.
“These are highly processed foods. Yes, they have good amounts of protein, but it’s always better to get them from natural animal sources.”
For instance, she recounted a period when she was vegan and, as a result, consumed larger amounts of protein powder, leaving her feeling “so bloated”.
“When I cut it out, it changed the game," she revealed.
Protein powders and bars can cause bloating
|GETTY
The best sources of lean protein include foods such as chicken, salmon, seeds and nuts, which are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.
Other foods that she recommended cutting out of your menu include products made with artificial additives.
Anything with excessive sugar, which is the “worst” according to Alia, threatens to throw your gut health off balance.
Excessive intake disrupts the balance of bacteria present in the gut, which can fuel inflammation and potentially damage the lining.
While this might seem insurmountable for sweet-toothed dieters, there are plenty of healthy alternatives to enjoy, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.