How to get that hot bod

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6 Essential Flat-Belly Foods



By David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding - Posted on Fri, Jun 19, 2009, 12:57 pm PDT



It's summertime?are you in swimsuit shape?



Even if you've spent the past months dieting yourself into fit form, a few poor food choices each week can quickly add up to a juggernaut of jiggle well before Labor Day. Don't believe us? Consider the caloric damage of typical summer activities?weekly backyard BBQs provide pounds of juicy burgers topped with gobs of high-calorie condiments; ice cream dates offer options of double and triple scoops, smothered in sugar-packed and fat-blasted toppings; and seasonal drink choices (the kind you add umbrellas to and sip from faux-coconuts) guarantee you'll wash it all down with hundreds of extra calories. Not exactly flat-belly fare.



That's why Eat This, Not That! has developed this list of six essential summer foods. The more of these bulge-battlers you eat, the better your chances of keeping those abs flat throughout this skin-baring season.



QUINOA





Per ? cup:

170 calories

2.5 g fat

7 g protein

3 g fiber

For starters, anytime you choose a whole-grain product over one made from nutrient-stripped white flour, you wage war against belly fat. Penn State researchers found that dieters who ate whole-grains lost twice as much belly fat as those who stuck to white-flour products?even though they'd consumed the same number of calories. What's more, quinoa contains twice the belly-filling protein as regular cereal grains, fewer glucose-raising carbohydrates, and even a handful of healthy fats. So start your day off with a cup of cooked quinoa combined with a ? cup of milk and ? cup of blueberries?microwave for 60 seconds, and you have a delicious (and slimming) alternative to your traditional oatmeal. Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa won "Best Grain" in Men's Health's Best Foods Awards 2009.



GREEN TEA





0 calories

Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to increase metabolism. A study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams of catechins from green tea daily had significantly lower body mass indexes and smaller waist measurements than those in a control group. It's safe to say that green tea is one of the best beverages for your health?a stark contrast to any of these 20 unhealthiest drinks in America. Avoid those belt-buckling drinks at all costs.



KEFIR



Per cup:

174 calories

2 g fat

14 g protein

3 g fiber

Think of kefir as drinkable yogurt, or an extra-thick, protein-packed smoothie. In either case, this delicious dairy product is a belly-blasting essential. Beyond the satiety-inducing protein, the probiotics in kefir may also speed weight loss. British scientists found that these active organisms boosted the breakdown of fat molecules in mice, preventing the rodents from gaining weight. The researchers still need to prove the finding in humans, but there's no danger in downing probiotic-packed products. We like Lifeway Lowfat Blueberry Kefir?it contains L. casei, the same probiotic used in the study.



AVOCADO





Per avocado:

322 calories

29 g fat (4 g saturated, 20 g monounsaturated)

13 g fiber

4 g protein

Never fear this full-fat Mediterranean-diet staple: It's teeming with healthy monounsaturated fats (also found in olive oil), which have been linked to lowered LDL cholesterol levels and weight loss. In fact, a recent longitudinal study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the healthy-fat Mediterranean diet was more effective than a diet that avoided fats altogether?so go ahead and indulge!



EGGS



Per 1 large scrambled egg:

102 calories

7 g fat (2 g saturated)

7 g protein

A British study found that people who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diet burned 71 more calories a day (that's 7.4 pounds a year!). Jumpstart your metabolism as soon as you wake up with a protein-rich breakfast of scrambled eggs. (Go to eatthis.com for other great no-diet weight-loss secrets.)



GRAPEFRUIT



Per grapefruit:

104 calories

4 g fiber

2 g protein

A grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss. The fruit's acidity slows digestion, meaning it takes longer to move through your system, and you'll end up feeling fuller, and more satisfied, for longer. And the vitamin C-packed grapefruit works to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
 
I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?
 
[quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>
Maybe try a Green Tea Arnold Palmer or sweeten it with honey.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1245837601][quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>
Maybe try a Green Tea Arnold Palmer or sweeten it with honey.</blockquote>


You're adding calories.



If you really want to lose weight. Try high intensity interval training (HIIT) with some minimal weight lifting 2) eat food high in protein without too much grease or fat (but you can have like 1 to 2 cheat days to enjoy In 'n out ....mine was always on the weekend)...3) do not eat after 7pm on the weekdays. skipping desert helps too. I tried this and was able to lose about 10 lbs in 2 months for my wedding.
 
[quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>


Costco sells Green Tea capsules. Anyone know if these do any good?
 
Green tea ice-cream.. you will add way too many calories though!

I have made the following changes in our diet, and no one has gained weight yet..



1. Olive oil instead of regular oil.

2. Brown Basmati instead of white.

3. Whole wheat or multigrain instead of white bread.

4. Soy milk instead of regular milk at least once a day.

5. Soy nuts instead of peanuts, at least twice a week.

6. Fage yogurt +fruits for weekday dessert.

7. Once in a week I fast half a day in the name of God, and eat fruits only.



Things I have failed to control..

1. Babybel

2. coffee and chai tea

3. Tiramisu. I make it very-very good, and eat it faster than I make it.
 
[quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>


I buy Blueberry Green Tea from Trader Joe's and drop in a packet of splenda - delicious :) I drink a cup everyday and while I don't know exactly what it's doing, I think the green tea IS doing something good for my body. I had also had a pear green tea from Timothy's once but haven't found another box yet. :( The Blueberry green tea tastes really good over ice (with the summer upon us, I find myself wanting to drink iced tea every day). For some reason, not all TJ's carry it...I do know that the one in the University center does so I buy a couple boxes at a time. At something like $2 a box, it's a no brainer. They also have a jasmine green tea that's not bad.
 
[quote author="ohnelly" date=1245888819][quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>


I buy Blueberry Green Tea from Trader Joe's and drop in a packet of splenda - delicious :) I drink a cup everyday and while I don't know exactly what it's doing, I think the green tea IS doing something good for my body. I had also had a pear green tea from Timothy's once but haven't found another box yet. :( The Blueberry green tea tastes really good over ice (with the summer upon us, I find myself wanting to drink iced tea every day). For some reason, not all TJ's carry it...I do know that the one in the University center does so I buy a couple boxes at a time. At something like $2 a box, it's a no brainer. They also have a jasmine green tea that's not bad.</blockquote>


I like Jasmine Green Tea too. But I read somewhere that too get the benefits of green tea, you have to drink at least 3 cups a day. Too much.. wish there was an easier way.
 
[quote author="ohnelly" date=1245888819][quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245833841]I want to drink Green Tea, but cannot stand the taste of it. Any ideas on how to transform the flavor? Any recipes? Maybe Green Tea Lemonade or something?



Anyone have any fabulous Quinoa recipes?</blockquote>


I buy Blueberry Green Tea from Trader Joe's and drop in a packet of splenda - delicious :) I drink a cup everyday and while I don't know exactly what it's doing, I think the green tea IS doing something good for my body. I had also had a pear green tea from Timothy's once but haven't found another box yet. :( The Blueberry green tea tastes really good over ice (with the summer upon us, I find myself wanting to drink iced tea every day). For some reason, not all TJ's carry it...I do know that the one in the University center does so I buy a couple boxes at a time. At something like $2 a box, it's a no brainer. They also have a jasmine green tea that's not bad.</blockquote>


Thanks for the tip - over ice it sounds like I might like it. I'll give it a try.
 
I have always liked <a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=1381491&cgrfnbr=1574581">Good Earth Green Tea</a>. I am pretty sure they sell it at Trader Joes, Sprouts, and the Target in the Spectrum.



I'm not sure if I buy all of the information in that article.



Mexicans eat tons of avocados and I certainly would not like a midsection like the majority of them.



Kifir is prevalent in a lot of middle eastern and eastern european diets and they certainly do not have a hot bod after the age of 30.



Eggs - I don't know. lots of fat midwesterners eat lots of bacon and eggs, although s.e. asians & french seem to eat a lot of eggs but they are not fat.



grapefruit - isn't that a winter fruit?
 
<img src="http://www.answerfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/guy-with-fat-belly.jpg" alt="" />



You know how hard it was to find a safe for work/home/anything! picture of some random fat bastard!!!!?????!!!



I was on my way till I hurt my foot a year ago.
 
[quote author="ABC123" date=1245901827]I have always liked <a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=1381491&cgrfnbr=1574581">Good Earth Green Tea</a>. I am pretty sure they sell it at Trader Joes, Sprouts, and the Target in the Spectrum.



I'm not sure if I buy all of the information in that article.



Mexicans eat tons of avocados and I certainly would not like a midsection like the majority of them.



Kifir is prevalent in a lot of middle eastern and eastern european diets and they certainly do not have a hot bod after the age of 30.



Eggs - I don't know. lots of fat midwesterners eat lots of bacon and eggs, although s.e. asians & french seem to eat a lot of eggs but they are not fat.



grapefruit - isn't that a winter fruit?</blockquote>


Certain foods have nutrients that help out your bodily functions, but portion control is the key to weight loss and maintenance. Since green tea has no calories on its own, it is the exception on that list. However, I have also read that you have to drink quite a bit of it to have any effect on your metabolism regardless of the healthy nutrients.
 
Add to that list Drink at least 8 oz's of water 15 minutes before you eat any meal. This will help you eat less. I try to drink 16 oz's of water. Do the same thing before you snack as well. If I feel like snacking I drink water and wait then if I still want to snack I snack less. Always go for the low cal snack first. I have grape fruit cups, special K bars, rice cakes etc. Then if you really need the ice cream go ahead you will eat less.



Find "filler foods". A filler food is a food low in caloires that you like. Eat that before your big meal. For me I like cucumber and tomato with rice wine or balsamic viniger. I eat a big portion of that then eat my dinner. I eat less of the fattening foods. Heck sometimes after the water and cuc's and tomatoes I am almost full.



Eat Breakfast as early as you can that starts your metabolism. If I have eggs I go three eggs. 2 of them are just the whites and one with the yolk less then 200 calories.
 
One of the best ways I have found to stay fit is to be reasonable with myself. I'm 6'2" and I love food, so setting up a diet plan that calls for healthy meals everyday would just not work. It would cause me to cheat and then the whole plan would break down. Set a schedule as to what days you are allowed to eat "normal" and what days you need to watch what you eat. Portion control is a huge factor as well. For me, I allow myself to splurge on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.



In regards to working out, it is set in stone that I workout on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. That way, I can enjoy my Wednesday, Friday & Sunday and not feel guilty. Works for me and I still have 3 days a week of eating good food and having fun.
 
[quote author="ABC123" date=1245901827]I have always liked <a href="http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=1381491&cgrfnbr=1574581">Good Earth Green Tea</a>. I am pretty sure they sell it at Trader Joes, Sprouts, and the Target in the Spectrum.



I'm not sure if I buy all of the information in that article.



Mexicans eat tons of avocados and I certainly would not like a midsection like the majority of them.



Kifir is prevalent in a lot of middle eastern and eastern european diets and they certainly do not have a hot bod after the age of 30.



Eggs - I don't know. lots of fat midwesterners eat lots of bacon and eggs, although s.e. asians & french seem to eat a lot of eggs but they are not fat.



grapefruit - isn't that a winter fruit?</blockquote>


The article above actually gives the metabolic reasoning behind their food choices. I guess the people in those countries are eating other stuff that is bad.



And actually I lived in the Middle East, and I thought their bods were pretty hot. What I could see of them anyway. LOL
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1245929127]<img src="http://www.answerfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/guy-with-fat-belly.jpg" alt="" />



You know how hard it was to find a safe for work/home/anything! picture of some random fat bastard!!!!?????!!!



I was on my way till I hurt my foot a year ago.</blockquote>


What did you do to your foot?



I actually have a lump/mass on my right achilles. It throbs non-stop, but mostly when I walk. Have had it for about 9 months now. The doctor said there wasn't much I could do about it, as surgery is not a good option. I have learned to live with it mostly.
 
[quote author="acpme" date=1245985908]crystal meth</blockquote>


I was thinking something more tame... like cigarettes. But I am trying to not partake of those either.
 
[quote author="gypsyuma" date=1245993070][quote author="acpme" date=1245985908]crystal meth</blockquote>


I was thinking something more tame... like cigarettes. But I am trying to not partake of those either.</blockquote>


perhaps something more natural... tapeworms?
 
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