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There's a good reason why you were always told to eat your vegetables when you were a kid. Vegetables are packed with essential nutrients that provide tons of health benefits. Because they are typically low-fat and low-calorie, vegetables are a great option for anyone looking to lose weight and burn belly fat. But, vegetables aren't the only foods that can help you get fit. Here are four non-vegetable foods that can help you get a flat stomach, according to dietitians.
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Whole Oats
Whole oats are packed with fiber that not only fill you up, but also help prevent weight gain. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, incorporating whole grains -- like whole oats -- into your diet has been proven "to help reduce cardiovascular disease, lower body weight and reduce incidence of diabetes."
Olive Oil
Olive oil is considered a "healthy fat" as it contains omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. "Olive oil has well-researched anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants and numerous heart-healthy macronutrients," clinical nutritionist Dr. Josh Axe says. "Extra virgin olive oil benefits include lowering rates of inflammation, heart disease, depression, dementia and obesity."
Salmon
Salmon is a wild-caught fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and other minerals and nutrients. Not only are omega-3-rich foods like salmon great for maintaining belly fat, but they also "temper inflammation, improve brain and heart health, maintain healthy eye health, keep you thin and even help you live longer," says registered dietitian Julie Upton.
Eggs
Eggs are great for maintaining belly fat because they are low in calories and high in protein. A 2008 study on obese subjects found that an egg breakfast, in contrast to a bagel breakfast, enhanced weight loss despite both breakfast meals having the same amount of calories. "The high-quality protein in eggs can help you feel full longer, which can help you maintain a healthy weight," says registered dietitian Katherine Brooking.
While it is important that you include vegetables into your diet, they are not the only foods that can help you get a flat stomach. Make sure that you're fueling your body with a healthy variety of foods to help reach your weight loss results!
