When it comes to revamping your eating habits, slimming down is only part of the puzzle for many people. When adopting a new way of eating, many people have another goal in mind: getting a flat stomach.
However, many people discover that not every diet that promotes weight loss is as effective as they might hope for whittling their midsections. If you want to trim down your middle without deprivation or crash diets, read on to discover which easy eating habits can help you flatten your stomach in no time, according to registered dietitians. And for more ways to uncover your abs, check out these 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.
While you likely already know that drinking an adequate amount of water is good for your health, experts say it’s essential if you’re trying to achieve a flatter stomach.
“Drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day,” suggests Samantha McKinney, RD, CPT, a registered dietitian and personal trainer at Life Time. “This not only hydrates, detoxifies, and boosts energy, but it also helps you naturally limit your intake of soda pop, sweetened coffee drinks, and other sugary beverages.”
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Increasing your protein intake does more than just keep you full for longer—it can also make it easier to get the flat stomach you’re hoping for by displacing less healthy foods in your diet.
“Consume one gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight throughout your day’s meals and snacks,” recommends McKinney. “Getting enough protein in naturally helps stabilize blood sugar and insulin, as well as helps kill cravings for processed foods since it’s so filling.”
READ MORE: This Is Exactly How Much Protein To Eat A Day For Weight Loss
You may think you’re eating enough veggies as it is, but McKinney says that, in order to get a flat stomach and uncover your abs, you may need to significantly ramp up your vegetable intake. McKinney recommends eating five to seven cups of non-starchy vegetables a day to help reset some
“This provides an array of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. It also delivers hunger-busting fiber that helps balance your hormones and regulate your appetite,” McKinney explains.
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While busy days at home or work may have you wolfing down your food, taking more time to savor your meals whenever possible may help you flatten your stomach.
“There are two primary causes of gas and bloating: swallowing air and carbohydrates,” explains Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian with Balance One Supplements. “Eating too quickly can cause you to swallow more air than normal and lead to bloating.”
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