You may have heard the saying, “abs are made in the kitchen,” but have you really stopped to consider what that means, including how to implement the idea?
Many people are under the impression that strong abs are the result of endless crunches and other abdominal work in the gym, but the reality is, what you eat is what’s going to help you break down that fatty tissue around your belly and bring out toned, flat abs.
It’s easy to consume lots of calories, but it’s very hard to burn a lot of calories. That popular slogan about making strong abs in the kitchen refers to the fact that what you eat has a much greater impact on weight loss than any form of exercise that you do. But despite this well-known saying, most people still think they can get great abs by doing endless crunches and running mile after mile.
Best foods to eat
So, what kinds of foods should you be eating to get the abs you desire? No matter what your goal, your diet should be based on lots of organic fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein sources.
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage, kale, asparagus and collard greens are some of the most important to consume regularly. Those types of healthy foods contain substances known as indole-3-carbinol and Calcium D-glucarate, which can help optimize estrogen levels, giving you an edge in revealing those abs faster.
In addition to those compounds, cruciferous vegetables are also low calorie, high fiber, and have a low energy density which means that you can eat a large quantity, feel full and satisfied without consuming lots of calories, also essential for shedding that final layer of ab fat.
In addition, include foods that contain healthy fats, like coconut oil, salmon, nuts and seeds. Almonds, for example, are delicious and versatile. They help stabilize blood sugar levels which can prevent cravings that lead to overeating and weight gain.
In fact, a study presented at the 2005 Experimental Biological Conference found that the composition of their cell walls may help reduce the absorption of their fat, making them a great choice to aid weight-loss efforts.
Healthy fats are good for you and help burn the fat you don’t want – they help you rev up your body’s fat burning ability. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can consume all you want – you still need a healthy balance.
Drinking plenty of water is also essential as it helps to flush out toxins, excess water and sodium.
Foods to avoid
You also need to consider what you shouldn’t be eating if you want strong abs, and commit to eating a clean diet.
That means no processed foods, steering clear of chemicals and unnatural ingredients. Ideally, you should eat whole, organic foods from the earth and concentrate on consuming meals that you’ve made yourself from those healthy ingredients.
Cut out refined sugar and salt which can cause extreme bloating, weight gain and all types of health issues. If you need to sweeten something up, use raw, organic honey – but don’t overdo it. Going gluten-free is something you may want to consider as well.
Gluten, present in grains like wheat, barley and rye, can often cause bloating and water retention and may be responsible for belly fat too. One of the first steps for strong abs is eliminating possible sources of bloating, which includes wheat products.
Of course, in addition to what you eat, strong abs and a healthy, fit body requires regular exercise too. A combination of cardio exercise and resistance training is ideal.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/04/06/9043.aspx
http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/ask-diet-doctor-best-foods-flat-abs
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/weight-loss/plans/diets/foods-for-flat-abs
http://www.sideroad.com/Diet_and_Nutrition/flat-stomach-diet.html
