We all want to lose a few pounds off our bellies. However, with busy schedules or, let's be honest, complete laziness, not a lot of people want to actually put in the effort to make it happen.
There are ways to promote weight loss in your body, such as eating dinner at least two hours before you go to bed. When you go to sleep right after eating a heavy meal, your body is more likely to develop belly fat which is not ideal.
Luckily, there are some foods that will naturally burn your belly fat for you, without having to start an exercise regiment.
1. Oats
No, not that sugar-loaded oatmeal we all grew up with. Regular oats are packed with soluble fiber, which is a great way to keep your digestive tract regular. This can lower your blood sugar and cholesterol, and helps you lose unwanted pounds.
"Fiber binds with fat and sugar molecules as they travel through your digestive tract, which reduces the number of calories you actually get," explained Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D. to Eating Well.
2. Mushrooms
Especially in colder months, our exposure to vitamin D is limited, but mushrooms can help make up for that. Adding mushrooms to a soup, stir-fry, or just a basic sandwich can give you that extra vitamin D you're lacking, which has a direct impact on your belly fat.
"Research shows that low levels of vitamin D may be correlated with abdominal obesity," says Kayleen St. John, R.D.
3. Watermelons
A great snacking food, watermelons are high in minerals, which help keep you hydrated and nourished. The juice from a watermelon has been proven to help reduce water retention, clear your body of toxins, and detox your organs. The American Dietetic Association says watermelon is an ideal food to reduce not only belly fat, but also your overall weight.
4. Raspberries
Whenever you get a craving for a sweet treat, reach for some raspberries instead of chocolate! The fiber in the berry benefits your weight loss efforts.
"Fructose has (rightly so) gotten a bad rap lately for its role in promoting central obesity or belly fat," says St. John. "However, fructose found in whole foods like fruit does not act so sinisterly in the body. Fresh or frozen raspberries contain a great deal of fiber, which helps to regulate the body's insulin response and also reduce belly fat."
5. Green Veggies
This may seem broad, but green vegetables are all low in calories but high in fiber. They help make you feel full and keeps the digestive tract running smoothly. If you don't want to eat a salad every day, try a glass of green vegetable juice or add some to your morning smoothie! It'll melt the fat right off your body.
6. Eggs
Eggs are high in protein, which can keep your feel fuller longer. They also help melt belly fat!
"A study published in the International Journal of Obesity compared weight loss after an egg breakfast compared to a bagel breakfast containing similar calories," explains Toby Amidor, R.D., author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen. "Results founds that participants who consumed two eggs in their breakfast while following a lower-calorie diet lost 65 percent more weight and reduced their waist circumference by 34 percent compared with those who were on a similar calorie bagel breakfast."
7. Almonds
Instead of reaching for chips when you're craving something salty, grab a handful of almonds. A study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that almonds contain monosaturated and polysaturated fats, which help satisfy your cells and stop you from overeating. They also have a high level of magnesium, which helps build muscle.
8. Oily Fish
Try replacing your normal chicken or beef with certain fish dishes throughout the week. Oily fish like mackerel, salmon, and tuna are high in Omega-3s, which help your brain function at its highest potential. They also have anti-inflammatory components which melt the fat in your body. Fish sticks don't count, though. Bake or grill your fish to keep it healthy!
9. Lemon Water
Drinking a glass of water with a slice of lemon, not to be confused with lemonade, is an easy and refreshing way to lose that stubborn belly fat.
"Bitter foods like lemon help stimulate your body's GI juices and aid the start of the digestion proc," Frank Lipman, M.D. says. "When digestion is robust, your body breaks down food better and absorbs more of its nutrients, both of which help you maintain a healthy weight and flat belly."