Posts Tagged ‘Monounsaturated Fatty Acids’

Flat Belly Foods…There are Five…Count ‘Em

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Check out the 5 foods you should never eat

According to Prevention Magazine and Web M.D. there are 5 food groups that fall into the category, “Flat Belly Foods” that will help you lose belly fat.

One serving of these foods, each packed with monounsaturated fatty acids, at each meal will help reduce excess weight in your mid-section and protect you from various diseases.

Nuts and seeds, olives, avocado, dark chocolate, and healthy oils (olive oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil to name a few) are all included on their belly fat busting list. Make an effort to include these foods in your daily diet plan…I know dark chocolate won’t be hard for me to add!

Serving Sizes:
Olives =10 large
Dark Chocolate = ¼ cup
Avocado = ¼ cup
Healthy Oils = 1 tablespoon
Nuts & Seeds = 2 tablespoons

Try My Favorite Guacamole Recipe:

4 ripe avocados—peeled
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 clove crushed garlic
1 finely chopped tomato
¼ tsp ground cumin
hot pepper sauce (to taste)

Directions:
Use a fork to mash the avocado. Mix in lemon juice and garlic. Add the other ingredients and stir together. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Enjoy with lettuce and fresh tomato slices.

Here is an article I wrote about flat belly foods which was published on EzineArticles.com

Is there really such a thing? Is there a wonder food that will melt fat away? I think using the word “melt” might be a tad bit over zealous, but Prevention Magazine and Web M.D. have identified five categories of foods that will help you whittle your waistline.

Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief of Prevention Magazine and Cynthia Sass, the co-authors of the Flat Belly Diet, have coined the term MUFA, an acronym that stands for monounsaturated fatty acids, which the flat belly foods all contain. MUFA’s, healthy dietary fats, are vital for bodily function, and protect the body from various diseases.

The five categories include: avocados, nuts and seeds, healthy oils, olives, and dark chocolate. (Definitely my favorite!) Try to include several servings of these food items at every meal to help lose belly fat.

Serving Sizes:

Dark Chocolate = 1/4 cup
Olives =10 large
Healthy Oils = 1 tablespoon
Nuts & Seeds = 2 tablespoons
Avocado = 1/4 cup

Fitness Magazine has identified ten foods that they claim are the key to flat abs. These foods all contain fiber to rid you of belly bloat, antioxidants, and protein, all of which encourage a properly functioning metabolism.

Do you want a smooth, sexy belly? If so, you need to change your diet and add the following foods to your daily diet…

1. Almonds…Yup, you’re right, they fall into the MUFA category. Almonds contain protein, fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium.

2. Eggs…Sometimes referred to as the perfect protein, add eggs to your diet, unless you have high cholesterol, if so, check with your doctor first.

3. Soy…Yes, I said soy, to some this might sound like a foreign concept, but soybeans area a fantastic source of fiber and antioxidants. Try something new…head to your local Japanese restaurant and order a plate of edamame, boiled baby soybeans, and you will become hooked immediately. Tofu and soy milk are other delicious options.

4. Apples…Remember the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? It seems to be true. Apples are high in fiber and water, both of which make you feel satisfied and full. The majority of an apple’s antioxidants come from flavonoids, known to reduce certain cancers, keep the heart healthy, and lower cholesterol levels.

5. Berries…Brimming with fiber and high in antioxidants, berries can be eaten plain, sprinkled on top of whole-grain cereal, or as a topping for your favorite yogurt.

6. Greens…Low calorie, high in fiber, and a good source of calcium-try to add three servings a day. Chinese kale, a wide variety of lettuces, spinach, arugula, and collard greens will add interest and variety to your salads and side dishes.

7. Yogurt…This one surprised me. A research study published by the International Journal of Obesity, claims that people who get their calcium from yogurt lose more weight in their bellies than people who get their calcium from other sources. Consumption of yogurt aids digestion and reduces the incidence of bloating, gas, and constipation.

8. Vegetable Soup: Eating a bowl of vegetable soup is a low-calorie way to fill up and get your veggies in for the day!

9. Salmon …Add this healthy fish filled with omega-3 fatty acids to your diet regime.

10. Quinoa…Pronounced KEEN-wah, contains five grams of fiber and eleven grams of protein per half cup. I don’t know much about this whole grain but I am looking forward to trying it!

Fiber, MUFA’s, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants-wow, have you noticed yet? Flat Belly foods are healthy foods. Make smart choices, avoid high fat, high sugar, processed foods, add exercise to the mix; and your belly will look flat, sexy, and fabulous!

From Flat Belly Foods to Lose Belly Fat

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Flat Belly Diet Book Review

Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Flat Belly Solution
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The Flat Belly Diet consists of several phases. Phase I includes what is referred to as, the “four-day anti-bloat” jumpstart.

The jumpstart is followed by a 28 days of healthy eating that includes a “MUFA” for each of the four, 400 calorie meals consumed daily.

Also included in the plan are optional fat burning walks, belly toning, and a metabolism boost that are designed to burn calories and build muscles.

Chapter I offers a brief description of the authors, their credentials, and also includes information about how the flat belly solution came into existence.

Chapter II , entitled,“The Skinny on Belly Fat” is where the “meat” of the book begins. It also explains why fat, especially belly fat can be so dangerous. Did you know that fat, visceral fat in particular, is linked to many serious health problems?

High blood pressure, breast cancer, dementia, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes are some of the conditions associated with the kind of fat that lies deep within your body. I found this section to be extremely interesting, because the authors took the time to explain exactly why and how belly fat is dangerous. I always knew about the problem but I didn’t know the particulars.

The chapter also explains the difference between “good” and “bad” fats, and it even explains in simple terms how fat cells in the body work. Interesting! The right amount of fat stored in the body is needed for maintaining hormone levels, energy, regulating temperature, fertility, bone growth, and cushioning vital organs.

Remember: Fat is important for optimal health…too much is deadly!

Chapter III , entitled,“The Magic of MUFAS” describes the perfect solution to battling belly fat…monounsaturated fatty acids, known by the moniker, MUFAS for the remainder of the book. The flat belly MUFAS fall into five categories…oils, olives, nuts and seeds, avocados, and my favorite; dark chocolate. The chapter goes into more depth about good vs. bad fats and even discusses what they coin as the, “Eat Less Fat” backlash from years past, where people cut their fat intake, as recommended by their doctors and members of the healthy community, but the obesity rate in America continued to soar.

Enter MUFAS!

Keep reading to find out why they are looked upon as the perfect flat belly solution in the field of healthy eating.

MUFAS:
~protect your heart
~ward off Type II Diabetes
~cut Metabolic Syndrome Risk
~reduce inflammation
~lower the risk of breast cancer
~maintain healthy brain function
~extend life expectancy
~target belly fat!

Pretty amazing, huh?

Chapters 1-3–>Home Page

Please keep reading about the Flat Belly Diet (Chapters 4-5) This chapter is loaded with great ideas for battling belly bloat & stress, the kind that often leads to increased belly fat.

This is what you’ve been waiting for! (Chapters 6-7) This chapter contains the “nuts-and-bolts” of the program…Recipes! Delicious! (Chapter 8)

The “Write Way” to Lose Weight (Chapter 9)

~(Chapter 10) ~Exercise! Boost Your Metabolism!

~Does the Flat Belly Solution Really Work? Find Out!

~Good Morning America: Video Clip There are five of Them… (opens in new window)

Read More about Flat Belly Foods

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Flat Belly Diet Book Review:

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Is it the Best Way to Lose Belly Fat?

Flat Belly Diet Book Review:

Have you seen it yet? The canary yellow book cover that yells out to you, “Flat Belly Diet is about Food & Attitude. Period. (Not a Single Crunch Required)”

The message is sure to grab your attention when you are perusing the aisles of your local book store, but the big question is, does the diet work?

The authors make the claim, “The lean, healthy body you want is within, your grasp. And the Flat Belly Diet is the answer.”

“Okay, so who are the authors? I’ve never heard of them before.” (That’s what you were probably wondering, so I asked it for you!)The diet book was co- written by Prevention Magazine’s vice president and editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello and Prevention’s nutrition director, Cynthia Sass.

They used scientific data from numerous research studies and “human belly fat loss testers”—strategically placed throughout the book—to shine the spotlight on what the diet is supposed to achieve. I must admit that the participants have done a great job sticking to the diet plan and shedding belly fat. Their weight loss vignettes were interesting to read and inspirational too.

The Flat Belly Diet has 3 simple rules to follow:

#1 1,600 calories a day/4 meals (400 calories each)
#2 4 hours is the magic number. Don’t go longer than 4 hours between meals.
#3 Eat one serving of a MUFA at every meal.

What is a MUFA?

Pronounced “moo fa,” MUFA is an acronym for monounsaturated fatty acids, which are sometimes referred to as “healthy fat”. MUFA’s are found in five different food categories—healthy oils, olives, avocados, nuts & seeds, and my favorite…dark chocolate.

What you get:
~4-day anti-bloat jump start
~A four week eating plan (complete with recipes)
~The recipe for “Sassy Water”
~An optional exercise plan (complete with pictures)
~Lots and lots of nutritional information.

Pros:
I learned a lot about nutrition, keeping a food diary, exercise, flat belly foods, and tips for stress management and why it’s important when fighting belly fat. Oh, I almost forgot…most of the recipe ideas are great and easy to make!

Cons:
I personally know that for myself, I need exercise ( and lots of it) to lose weight. The Flat Belly Diet offers a great exercise routine but the plan says it’s optional. From everything I’ve read in outside sources, both diet and exercise is needed to combat belly fat. I also think a few of the recipes require weird ingredients that are hard to find.

This was my review of the Flat Belly Diet in a “nutshell” (pun intended). If you want to read a complete Flat Belly Diet book review—chapter by chapter— Check it out here!

Flat Belly Diet Book Review–>Product Reviews

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