The 10 BEST Foods To Eat For A Flat Stomach

Losing weight and keeping it off is hard. Maybe you’re trying hard but still struggling.

You’re probably doing a lot of things right, but if the scale won’t budge, it may be because you’re not eating enough (eating less is not necessarily the answer to rapid fat loss), or because you’re eating the wrong foods.

These are the 10 foods you MUST embrace if you ever want to have a chance at losing belly fat.

1. Leafy green vegetables

That’s essential. Add kale, spinach, and chard to almost everything: salads, chilies, casseroles, pasta dishes… Recipes with leafy greens can be found on pages 27, 38, 51, and 123 of Eat More, Burn More.

2. Lentils and beans

Legumes help you build muscle and burn fat thanks to a huge amount of fiber. Make lentil salads, vegetarian chilies, Mexican 3-bean salads, and more. Recipes on pages 71, 123, and 159.

3. Citrus 

Definitely eat the fleshy white membranes for added fiber. Citrus lowers insulin and regulates blood sugar and metabolism. Check out my recipe on page 69.

4. Berries

These improve satiety and prevent cravings, but mainly they are packed with fiber. Check out these recipes to see how I use them: pages 37 and 45.

5. Chili peppers

As I explained before, chili peppers are scientifically proven to spike your metabolism. Spicy recipes are on pages 30, 35, 81, 123, and 139 of Eat More, Burn More.

6. Fatty fish (such as salmon or tuna)

Fatty fish triggers fullness and improves Leptin (a hormone released from fat cells that regulates appetite and body fat levels). The omega-3 in fatty fish speeds up your metabolism exponentially. Check out my Grilled Salmon and Mango Salsa recipe on page 149.

7. Lean meats

I’m talking meats like pork tenderloin, chicken breast, or brisket… Go for it and Eat More to Burn More on pages 93, 103, and 135.

8. Prunes and dried fruits

The truth is dried fruits are packed with fiber. Add dried apricots, raisins or cranberries to everything: salads, curries, pasta, stews, etc…

9. Whole-grain pasta, cooked al dente

If you must have pasta, make sure you cook it al dente (the lowest cooking time recommended by the manufacturer). Why? Whole-grain pasta cooked that way has a super-low Glycemic Index. Check out my recipes on pages 163, 166, and 169.

10. Long-grain, whole-grain rice (like Brown Basmati)

Rice is usually a no-no. At least that’s what dietitians and other “experts” tell you. But they don’t know there are many kinds of rice, and that some are better than others. Short grain rice is very starchy (Don’t eat it!), but other kinds like Basmati or Jasmine have extra-long-grains (and a low glycemic index) and are acceptable if you’re trying to lose weight. Recipe on page 105 for instance.

Follow that simple list next time you’re at the grocery store, and avoid all those foods that wind up ruining your diet once you get them home.

Now, before I go, I also want to make sure you’re aware that you can ask me any question you want on the Eat More, Burn More Facebook page. Don’t hesitate; I’m here to help.

Bon Appetit!