Gaining weight in your middle can be the result of many factors, like eating fatty, sugary foods filled with “bad cholesterol”. They cause inflammation in your body that can lead to packing on pounds. Aside from cutting out these foods, can you counteract the negative effects and prevent weight gain and belly bloat? Yes! By eating these anti-inflammatory foods.
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Flax Seeds
Flax seeds have a high concentration of plant-based omega-3s that have been shown to increase good cholesterol and decease the bad. “It reduces inflammation and in turn reduces storage of fat,” says Dr. Zarinah Hud, who practices sports and integrative medicine at the RIM Group in Georgia. She likes to use ground flax seed in smoothies, oatmeal, and even casseroles (it doesn't have a potent taste so it’s really versatile).
Tart Cherries
Eat them as whole fruits or drink a cup of 100% tart cherry juice. Either way many experts have coined them as being one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods you can consume. “They have high levels of the antioxidant anthocyanins,” says Dr. Hud. Drink 4 to 6 ounces twice a day or add a few whole cherries to oatmeal or whole grain cereal.
Blueberries
“Blueberries are extraordinarily high in polyphenols, micronutrients that combat cellular stress by slowing down and blocking the inflammatory response in the body,” says Violet Santana, nutritionist and author of Operation Cleanse - 14 Day Detox to Reset Digestion and Weight Loss. They’re low in calories and high in fiber so add them to yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies and salads.
Green Tea
Green tea contains anti-inflammatory catechins that inhibit the body from accumulating fat. The tea also contains caffeine that works with catechins to increase metabolism and fat burn. Change your afternoon coffee break to green tea!
