Carrying pockets of fat around the body’s midsection can present life-threatening risks if left unchecked.
Though it doesn’t necessarily kill you, it can pave the way for scores of chronic health conditions that have life-threatening consequences. Many people will also want to cut down on belly fat during their weight loss journeys.
Chronically inflamed organs and hormone secretion go hand in hand with belly fat, but small food swaps may stave off these complications altogether.
While most people focus solely on food consumed during mealtimes, it may be equally important to shift habits between meals.
Sugar-laden fruit juices could be thwarting your efforts to lose weight
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Naheed Ali, MD, a nutritionist, physician and senior medical and health writer at Sweat Block, has highlighted small swaps that can make big differences when taking aim at belly fat.
“When it comes to losing belly fat, I get that it can feel overwhelming to make big dietary changes,” explained Naheed.
“But [...] with a few easy food and drink swaps that work for your lifestyle, you absolutely can start shedding stubborn abdominal fat.”
The key is to focus on hydrating with the right ingredients, notes the expert, as the wrong one will quickly thwart efforts to slim down.
Fruit juices, due to their high fructose content, have often been regarded as a risk factor for metabolic disturbances among the scientific community.
Once fructose is metabolised in the liver, the excess fructose becomes converted into fat and leads to an increase in belly fat.
“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to skip the liquid calories from sodas, juices, or creamy Starbucks drinks between meals - these quickly spike blood sugar and stall your progress toward a slimmer waistline,” explained Naheed.
The expert continued: “Sparkling water with lemon, lime or orange slices is a super refreshing, waistline-friendly hydration choice.
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Lemon water is an ideal drink to hydrate with between meals
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“But you could also try unsweetened iced green tea for an antioxidant boost or if you need a little caffeine pick-me-up.
“The key is avoiding that sneaky high-sugar, high-calorie beverages. They [...] promote fat storage rather than burning.”
While some may fall into the habit of hydrating altogether, the nutritionist warned against this mistake.
“Getting enough fluids helps banish bloat, curb cravings and fire up your fat-burning engines,” added the expert.