If you want a flat belly, one of the most important factors to consider is your diet. While there are many foods out there that can help you boost your metabolism so you can blast fat faster than ever before, it’s also important to limit your intake of processed foods—and you should be particularly wary of the super-salty ones. A high-sodium diet can lead to weight gain and bloating, especially when that salt isn’t paired with nutritional value.
To discover one of the worse processed, salty snacks associated with belly fat, we spoke to health experts Michael Garrico, certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and co-founder and marketing director at TotalShape and Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD. They both told us that you should steer clear of potato chips if you’re trying to lose weight. Learn more below!
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Potato Chips
Despite the fact that they taste undeniably delicious (and can be some of the most addicting snacks out there), Garrico has some bad news about your favorite salty potato chips. He says they're "your worst enemy, especially if you are trying to reduce belly fat." Say it ain't so!
This partly has to do with the fact that potato chips, like most salty, crunchy snacks, are highly processed. That means they're stripped of practically any nutritional value—so when you power through that big bag throughout the day because you just can't stay away, you're loading up on calories without gaining any fiber or protein, which prevents you from feeling satiated and will likely lead to increased cravings and overeating later on.
Hunnes explains that processed carbs like this offer "no nutritional benefit, and they are often devoid of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds," which can wreak havoc on your metabolism and make it extremely difficult to lose weight due to "insulin spikes, increases in IGF-1, an inflammatory marker, and increases risk for chronic diseases and deposition (fat storage) of calories in the body."
Additionally, potato chips are packed with sodium, which is one of the biggest culprits of unwanted belly fat. "Potato chips are mostly salt," Garrico points out. "Salt makes your body retain water, making it seem bloated," he warns.
If you're really craving something crunchy and lightly salted, it's a good idea to reach for popcorn instead. "Popcorn is a whole grain so it's a great source of fiber, which can help you to feel fuller longer," Sarah Chatfield, RDN tells us. "It's also full of vitamins and antioxidants called phenolic acids." Of course, a handful of chips every now and then won't hurt you. But if you're trying to lose weight, why not opt for something a little healthier? Your body will thank you!
