Elisha Danine, Nutritionist for the January 28 Day Challenge has provided some information about foods included in the Challenge meal plans and how they’ll help target tummy fat to help you bust that belly:
The January 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is all about getting rid of belly fat. Often after Christmas and the festive season you may have overindulged a little too much or you just want to make 2016 the year you become as healthy as you can be.
Excess belly fat often know as a “muffin-top” can be hard to shift as we tend to hold on to weight in the tummy area, especially as many of us have had babies, whether it be recent, or not so recent. The tummy is where we have trouble shifting the weight.
If you follow the January 28 Day Challenge with its fantastic HIIT and pilates exercise routines that target the tummy and core areas and the healthy eating meal plans that have been loaded up with belly busting ingredients like those below, then you will be on your way to having a longer, leaner looking tummy.
Bananas
Are high in fibre and can help you stay full. They are cheap, versatile and very portable as well, and can help keep you on track when cutting down on processed food.
Beans
Are very high in fibre and likely to keep you feeling full, therefore eating less junk and aiding in weight loss, especially around the mid section.
Broccoli
Is a superfood with a high nutritional value and it is a great source of fibre. It also contains diindol-methane (DIM) which helps to break down and eliminate excess oestrogen from the body.
Cayenne pepper
Is proven to boost metabolism which will help shift excess stomach fat.
Chilli
Helps to boost metabolism which may help to aid in belly fat loss.
Cinnamon
Helps balance sugar cravings. It may help to prevent overeating and leave you with a flatter tummy.
Coconut Oil
Can slow digestion and regulate appetite which means we eat less and that’s great to help lose some belly fat!
Cucumbers
Are high in vitamins B, C & K and minerals copper, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. They help to maintain weight by improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
Chia Seeds
Are high in fibre and will help minimize the belly bulge by keeping you regular.
Fennel
Has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which means it is great for those that may suffer from IBS symptoms or bloating.
Grapefruit
Has an effect on the hormone insulin to help prevent fat storage. The bitters also help to aid in digestion and therefore reduce bloating.
Lentils
Contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, making them another excellent source of dietary fibre. They will help flush out toxins in the bowel – leaving you with a leaner looking tummy.
Psyllium Husks
Act like an intestinal broom in the colon – sweeping out excess build up and helping to flatten the tummy.
Pumpkin Seeds
Fall into a category of fats called unsaturated fats. These are the fats that are actually beneficial to the body and can help with weight loss.
Red Cabbage
Is a great tool for weight loss – It is nutrient dense with high amounts of vitamin C and Vitamin K and it is also high in fibre and low in calories.
Soba Noodles
Contain buckwheat flour. This type of flour is gluten free and can help to prevent the heavy feeling you would get otherwise by eating wheat flour products such as spaghetti.
Wholegrain or Sourdough Bread
Contain lots of insoluble fibre, which promotes regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation and bloating. Sourdough is also low GI, which means it helps keep blood sugars stable, and it is high in lactobacillus – an important bacteria in our gut. This means it is easier to digest than some other breads and will tend to cause less bloating.
Elisha Danine, Natural Medicine Practitioner/Nutritionist, (BHSc Complementary Medicine, Adv. Dip. Nut. Med.)