Summer is on it’s way, and while we may definitely be ready for the warm weather, our tummies may not be.
The last thing we want when we are heading off to the pool or beach, is for our stomachs to look and feel bloated. Of course diet and exercise helps, but it also helps to eat foods that will prevent this bloating. Some of the really healthy foods that we consume are actually responsible for packing on extra water weight.
LifeDaily shares 9 Flat-Belly Tricks To Get You Ready for Summer:
1. Water with lemon
It may sound strange that we are suggesting more water to get rid of water weight, but water is one of the most important things you can do to keep belly fat at away. Retaining water is your body’s way of making sure it has enough water in times of drought- so the less you drink, the more you will retain. Adding some fresh lemon to your water revs up your bodies ability to flush out salt, so drinking water and lemon together doubles the diuretic effect.
2. Certain fruits
Fruit is great for digestion, while also having a high water content. The fruits you should stick to to help give you a flat tummy are melons such as watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe, citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits, and also pineapple. Watermelon contains about 92% water, citrus fruits contain about 80-90% water, and pineapple contains about 85% water, all helping your body to flush out excess sodium.
3. Certain vegetables
With some exceptions, vegetables are easy to digest and are really good for you. While vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, onions and cabbage are extremely healthy for you they may cause you to bloat, but vegetables like asparagus, celery and cucumbers are great for warding off bloating.
4. Use more natural sugars- avoid artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes
Our favorite artificial sugars like Splenda are not all too healthy for our tummies. But the best sugars for them are more natural ones such as honey or agave nectar, and if we must use sugar in our coffee or tea, (which most of us do) then we should stick to brown or white sugar.
5. Plain yogurt
Probiotics like yogurt have a plethora of health benefits such as an abundance of good bacteria, but certain flavored yogurts that contain a lot of sugar cause the opposite effect-iritating your stomach, and causing gas and bloating. Your best bet is to stick to plain yogurt for a flat tummy, which you can add fruit or honey to to sweeten it naturally.
6. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea’s natural ingredient is menthol, which has been proven to help soothe your stomach lining. The easiest way to get your daily dose of peppermint is with hot tea, or added to iced tea in the hot summer months.
7. Ginger
Along with ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties, this spice works wonders in settling an upset stomach and nausea. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after meals to ease the digestive process, and it is best to eat in the freshest form to ensure the most health benefits.
8. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds can easily be sprinkled directly on your food to relax the muscles in your digestive tract, and also allow any gas to pass. Fennel seeds can be viewed as a real bloat-blaster, and its other benefits include relieving water retention, reducing obesity (it suppresses the appetite), and relieving menstrual problems.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary can be added to tea or lemon water, or used to flavor lean meats and potatoes, and it is great for helping digestion. In addition, it also tastes and smells wonderful. The theory is that by eating well and taking rosemary, you will eat less, and therefore consume fewer calories.
Which one of these 9 flat belly tricks is your favorite? Is there one you will implement into your diet for this summer? Let us know.
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9 Flat Belly Tricks To Get You Ready for Summer is a post from: LifeDaily