Vegetables are one of the healthiest kinds of food to be included in every diet. They provide a boost of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates. Veggies are undeniably an asset for any dieting plan if you’re working to lose weight because they are low in calories. Not only can vegetables encourage weight loss, but they can also be useful in reducing bloating and inflammation, which can lead to a flatter stomach. A tight, distended stomach can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially for women over 40. According to health experts, eating certain vegetables can help you experience noticeable relief from severe bloat.
To get the low-down on some of the best winter veggies for a flatter belly, we spoke to holistic physician Sony Sherpa, M.D. from Nature’s Rise, nutritionist and creator of the Candida Diet, Lisa Richards, Dr. Nancy Lin, PhD, Holistic Nutritionist and XPRO for YogaSix GO, and Michele Canon, Nutritionist XPRO for STRIDE GO. They said asparagus, beetroot, and spinach contain lots of fiber which can help with bloating and help achieve a flatter belly. Find out more below!
Asparagus
Asparagus provides 2.8 grams of fiber per cup and 2.9 grams of protein. It's an incredible nutrient-dense option to regularly consume this winter that increases fat burn and helps with bloating. "This is an incredibly low calorie and micronutrient dense green vegetable chock full of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate," Lin explains, adding, "Asparagus, when steamed, is extremely nourishing to the stomach lining and digestive system as a whole."
"Asparagus is also a natural organ detoxifying vegetable that assists the body in elimination and has been linked to regulating fat burning—when coupled with consistent exercise and body movement," notes Lin. "It helps to balance the body's potassium, magnesium, and calcium ratio which is imperative to overall health."
Taking care to improve your metabolism is key for a flatter stomach and the digestive functions of your body. "Your body's metabolism refers to the cellular processes your body undergoes to convert food to energy, breakdown fats, carbs, and protein into substrates that like amino acids or glucose that stimulate growth or enable your brain to function. Metabolism also includes digestion and the elimination of waste," explains Canon.
Beetroot
Even though it may not be that popular, Dr. Sherpa says beetroot is riddled with incredible health benefits. "Beetroot isn't only delicious; it is also packed with nutrients, has no fat content, and is low in calories," she says. Dr. Sherpa notes that this little-known veggie is "a good source of fiber, which promotes good digestion and helps maintain regular bowel function," all of which can help achieve a flatter belly.
You can add beats to your salad and your pasta, or even eat them on your own as a side. But taking your beets as a juice is a great way to get your daily intake, "When consumed as juice, beets increase nitric oxide levels, which improve blood flow to the muscles and improve performance during exercise," Dr. Sherpa explains. That means drinking beet juice is a great way to help you ace your workout. Nice! Another effective beverage for targeting stomach bloat is kombucha.
Spinach
In general, leafy greens are essential for any healthy diet! And as Richards points out, this is especially true for weight loss. She says dark leafy greens are among the best vegetable out there when it comes to slimming down on stomach fat.
"Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in antioxidant nutrients that can help reduce inflammation in the body when they are consumed," she explains. Inflammation can be cause higher glucose levels and, in turn, weight gain.
Spinach in particular is one versatile, nutritious, and delicious leafy green that can help you on your weight loss journey. Richards notes that "spinach also contains lutein, which is a natural anti-inflammatory nutrient and related to vitamin A and beta-carotene, fat-soluble vitamins," all of which can help you reduce bloating and slim down stomach fat.
Bottom line
Of course, there's no singular, magical food that you can eat every day to become instantly skinny. But, by eating more fibrous, hydrating vegetables like asparagus, beetroot, and spinach, your body will respond in turn by debloating so that you can enjoy smooth digestion and a flatter stomach. And, a great way to incorporate these veggies into your diet is by adding them all into one big warm harvest bowl or a stew!
