Every other woman is hoping to get a flat stomach but to get one, all you need to do is avoid some of the drinks and food which we prefer eating daily.
Leading London nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert has shared the foods you should never eat if you want that flat stomach. And while some, such as junk food and fizzy drinks, are a no brainer, others may surprise you including ‘healthy’ lentils, onions and even apples.
Below are the list of food which you need to avoid in order to get a flat stomach:
Lentils
Foods which are high in fibre do have a tendency to make people produce large amounts of gas. This can lead to bloating in the stomach.
Lentils are one of most fibre rich foods available typically over 15g per cup, cooked. But if you can’t be without your lentils, it’s worth noting that light colored lentils are generally lower in fibre than darker ones, and therefore, may cause less bloating.
Dairy
Dairy is an excellent source of protein and calcium with sources including milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter.
However, with over 65% of the world’s population lacking the enzyme lactase, and therefore unable to break down lactose (the sugar found in milk), dairy can cause major digestive problems.
Try switching to fortified and unsweetened milk as it is always the best option, replacing dairy milk with unsweetened almond milk.
Apples
Although apples are great additions to a healthy diet; given their high fibre, vitamin C and antioxidant rich contents, they are known to cause bloating and other digestive issues for some people.
A cooked apple will be easier to digest than fresh ones. Its better to bake apples for a tasty dessert with added cinnamon and a dollop of Greek yoghurt to stabalise blood sugar levels!
Wheat
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, wheat causes major digestive problems. This includes bloating, gas, diarrhea and stomach pain.
However, this shouldn’t be a problem for those who do not have a gluten sensitivity or are celiac and these items may also have added sugar, salt and chemicals so it is worth identifying the trigger before eliminating any food group or going gluten free.
Potatoes
A single baked potato has nearly the identical effect on your body as eating a tablespoon of pure sugar. Like refined grains, these tubers are loaded with empty calories. Also like refined grains, when the sugar high fades, it leaves you hungry and craving more food.
Salt
Salt binds to water in the body and helps maintain the balance of fluids throughout your system.
By consuming processed foods, which are typically the biggest dietary source of sodium, or adding too much salt to food, your body may retain water.
Onions
Even though they’re usually eaten in small quantities, onions are one of the main dietary sources of fructans – soluble fibres that can cause bloating. Those that are sensitive to fructans will have discomfort especially when consuming raw onions.
Cooking the onions may reduce these digestive effects. Alternatively, fresh herbs or spices can be used an alternative to onions.
Fizzy Drinks
Carbonated drinks are another very common cause of bloating given they contain high amounts of carbon dioxide. When you drink something fizzy, you end up swallowing large amounts of gas, some of which becomes trapped.
This causes discomfort to your digestive system, which can result in bloating and even cramping.
Fast Food
A single fast-food meal contains more than 2,000 calories, the recommended calorie intake for an entire day. Fast food is high in bad fats and low in nutrition.
Fruit Juice
Fruit juice is subtle. It can contain many important nutrients, but it’s often high in sugar. Although taking a glass in the morning is OK, don’t make fruit juice your default beverage.
