Tight? Four foods that increase abdominal fat

Rreducing waist measurement is one of the biggest challenges of the weight loss process. As you get older, the abdominal region is one of the most likely parts of the body to increase in size, regardless of food. 

According to an article in the SheFinds website, fat stored in the waist and abdominal region is considered “active fat”. This fat releases hormones that hinder weight loss and achieve the desired results.

“ A wider waist usually indicates an increase in intra-abdominal fat. This fat is considered inflammatory and usually involves the organs of the heart. As she ages and begins to lose estrogen, the woman’s body starts to store fat, not only in the hips, but also in the abdominal area”, says nutritionist Bianca Beldini.

Four foods that contribute to waist enlargement

1. Fast food

Fast food is fast, delicious and affordable. However, it is not the recommended choice when the goal is to lose weight (and improve health).

“Fast food and ultra-processed foods are common in modern diets. Examples include hamburgers, fries and sweets. These foods are filled with bad fats, extra sugar and empty calories, making them the main causes of weight gain”, notes the nutritionist Haseeb. 

2. Sugary drinks

“Sweet drinks such as soft drinks, energy drinks or fruit juice contribute significantly to increased abdominal circumference. These drinks are known to contain a lot of added sugar and no nutritional value, which leads to the accumulation of fat in the belly”, notes Haseeb. 

3. Alcohol

Especially during the summer season, when cocktails are on the rise, it may be difficult to give up alcohol, but for those who want to lose an inch around the waist, it may be an enemy. 

Haseeb points out that “alcoholic beverages lack essential nutrients with high calorie content. Alcohol can also hinder adequate metabolism of fat by the body, which increases the amount of fat stored in the abdomen”. 

One drink from time to time will not make much difference, yet it is excess that will ruin the diet. 

4. Vegetable oils

Many vegetable oils are inflammatory and can hinder weight loss goals. “The vegetable oils can be inflammatory due to an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids,” he explains. 

“ Although both types are essential for health, the typical Western diet contains an excessive amount of omega-6 fatty acids, found mainly in vegetable oils such as corn, soybean and sunflower ", highlights Richards. 

Lisa Richards notes that fatty fish, linseed and nuts are recommended alternatives. Fruit, vegetables, quinoa and whole grains are also added to this group. Another key thing is to maintain hydration and drink water.