A Flat Stomach Is Made In The Kitchen

A flat stomach is made in the kitchen. Period. There is a common misconception that you can eat whatever you want as long as you workout, but that is absolutely not the case.

Food affects our metabolism and our blood sugar, and therefore how easily we gain (or lose) fat. By choosing the right foods, you can burn fat, without even doing one crunch (although it’s still a good idea to workout, but for other reasons like heart health rather than weight loss!)

Here are the top flat stomach foods to keep your waist small and tummy flat.

Apples

High in fiber and antioxidants, studies show apples help positively regulate your gut microbiome, resulting in less inflammation and weight loss.

Eat an organic apple as a snack, or slice and bake with a touch of cinnamon for a warm dessert.

Avocado

While it’s full of fat, avocado most certainly will not make you fat. The healthy fats in avocado keep you lean and satiated. Plus, since it’s high in potassium, avocado will help you beat bloat or water retention from eating too much salt.

You can put avocado on just about anything. Try my Summer Salad or for a yummy treat Chocolate Avocado Mousse to get you started.

Berries

Berries contain powerful antioxidants and copious amounts of fiber. The more fiber you eat, the less calories you absorb from the other foods you put in your mouth. So top your breakfast or salads with 1/2 cup-1 cup of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries. You can also add them to a smoothie!

Dark Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens are good for just about everything, including keeping your stomach flat. Because they are nutrient and fiber rich yet calorie poor, they do a good job of filling you up without filling you out. The more greens you eat, the less of everything else you eat (which is presumably higher in calories and sugar, and lower in nutrients).

Aim for at least 3-4 cups a day, either cooked or raw. Try kale, spinach, arugula, broccoli, collards, chard, or watercress.

Dark Chocolate

A high quality dark chocolate (one that contains at least 85% cocoa, is free of dairy, and is sweetened with coconut sugar or another gentler sweetener), can indeed be a part of your flat belly plan. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium, which relaxes the digestive tract muscles, prompting you to keep things moving if you get my meaning. Being backed up is not healthy let alone help to create a flat tummy!

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein that is typically easily digested by most, without bloating. Up the belly blasting power by making a dark leafy green omelet.

Chia Seeds

Chia offers tummy taming properties on many levels. First, it’s a good source of the metabolism boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Second, it’s an excellent source of fiber. Fiber is responsible for kicking cravings, keeping you satiated, and fat loss. Lastly, it’s a good source of protein which aids in satiety and will help repair and tone ab muscles after a workout.

Blend the seeds into your morning smoothie or try my Chocolate Chia Pudding!

Green Tea

A list for flat belly foods could not be complete without green tea, even though it’s technically a drink, not a food. Green tea aids in metabolism and stress reduction, both of which help whittle your waist.

Sip on fresh brewed organic green tea, or eat it in a Matcha Green Smoothie Bowl.

Wild Salmon

Wild Salmon is a good source of omega-3s, essential fats that may help promote fat burning by making your metabolism more efficient. It’s also a good source of protein.

Extra Tip: Follow My Crowding Out Strategy

While these foods all aid in blasting belly fat, getting a flat stomach is as much about what you don't eat, as it is what you do eat. The single worst offender for creating muffin top is sugar and other insulin spiking foods, such as refined carbohydrates, including pizza, pasta, bread, crackers, and the like. So add in these belly-fat blasting foods to help crowd out the foods that contribute to the bulge in the first place!