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| Belly fat |
So, you’ve got yourself an absolutely
gorgeous bikini to wear for a pool party two weeks from now. However,
there’s a little bit of a problem – there’s no way of hiding your
bulging belly fat in that skimpy swimsuit. Not sure how to trim down in
order to do some justice to that awesome bikini waiting in your closet?
Check out these seven habits that can cause belly fat – and be sure to
do the opposite, so you can shape up and lose those unsightly bulges as
fast as possible!
1. Drinking Carbonated Drinks Regularly
Can’t last a day without gulping down a
can or two of soda? If this is you, then you’re certainly not being kind
to your body. According to researchers, consuming one or two cans of
soda daily causes your waistline to increase at least five times faster
than those who barely drink soda in the course of a week. The concept
behind this is that the high amount of sugar used in sodas trigger your
craving for food, so you end up eating more than you should during
mealtimes. Diet sodas aren’t any better than regular varieties since
these contain artificial sweeteners, which can increase your appetite as
much as sugar does. So if you have that serious craving for a
satisfying drink, opt for healthy smoothies, fresh fruit juices, or a
glass of water with lemon zest and mint leaves. You’re doing your body
and overall health a favor by choosing a more nutritious drink that’s
also low in sugar content. Since soda only causes you to add pounds
without quenching your thirst, why bother drinking it, right?
2. Using a Larger Plate Each Time You Eat
Whether it’s a buffet dinner or just a
regular meal at home, pay attention to the size of plate you use at
mealtime. In a survey conducted among obese individuals, it was
discovered that these people prefer larger plates over smaller or
medium-sized ones. With a large plate size, they have more space for
their food. So, how does this habit cause belly fat? Simple. When you
have a larger space to pile up your food, you tend to consume more than
your body needs, and that leads to more fat stored in your body. To
avoid this nasty chain reaction, make it a point to use smaller plates
and resist the urge to eat or go back for seconds when you’ve already
had enough.
3. Dining Late at Night
While it’s true that your body naturally
burns some flab as you sleep, it might not be able to efficiently do so
when you go to bed on a full stomach. Aside from causing belly fat,
eating late and reclining on a full stomach increases your risk of
developing acid reflux and indigestion, since gravity is no longer able
to pull everything in your tummy straight down. To prevent these
conditions, consider eating smaller meals at night and don’t lie down
for at least three hours after dinner. If possible, just snack on fruits
in case you feel a bit hungry at night instead of raiding the fridge
for sweet desserts to satisfy your craving.
