Visceral fat poses not just a cosmetic concern but an important health risk that often needs attention. Its association with various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance, emphasizes the need for effective strategies in its reduction. While dietary habits significantly influence the accumulation of visceral fat, it’s often surprising to discover how certain seemingly harmless foods can contribute to its storage.
We spoke with Meaghan Greenwood, a registered nutritionist and health coach at Hourglass Waist, and Pam Hartnett MPH, registered dietitian-nutritionist, owner of The Vitality Dietitians and health/nutrition writer to learn about the three unexpected foods to cut out if you want to shed belly fat. They revealed that flavored yogurt, commercial pastries, and sugary beverages are the ones to eliminate.
Flavored Yogurt
While yogurt is often perceived as a healthy choice, flavored varieties frequently come laden with added sugars and artificial sweeteners, contributing to increased calorie intake and potential weight gain, especially around the abdominal area. Excess sugar consumption is linked to insulin resistance and inflammation, key factors in the storage of visceral fat. Opting for plain, unsweetened yogurt and adding natural flavorings like fresh fruits or a drizzle of honey allows you to enjoy the nutritional benefits of yogurt without the detrimental effects of added sugars.
Greenwood says, "Flavored yogurts are often high in added sugars, which can contribute to visceral fat accumulation. In addition, they may be lower in protein and healthy fats than plain yogurts, which can make them less satiating and more likely to lead to overeating."
Commercial Pastries
Eliminating commercial pastries from your diet can be a crucial step in shedding visceral fat and improving overall health. Most commercially available pastries are high in refined carbohydrates, trans fats, and added sugars, all of which contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation—key factors in visceral fat accumulation. The rapid spike in blood sugar levels from consuming these pastries can lead to increased fat storage, particularly around the abdominal area.
"Packaged breakfast pastries are often high in refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats which can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which are linked to visceral fat accumulation," Greenwood notes.
Sugary Beverages
Excluding sugary beverages from your daily routine can be a pivotal move in the journey to shed visceral fat. Sweetened drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices, are often loaded with added sugars, contributing to an excessive calorie intake and an increased risk of visceral fat accumulation. High sugar consumption is linked to insulin resistance and inflammation, promoting fat storage around vital organs. By cutting out these sugary beverages and opting for water, herbal teas, or other low-calorie alternatives, you not only reduce your daily calorie intake but also support better metabolic health.
Hartnett states, "Sugary beverages are often sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is rich in fructose (hence the name), a type of sugar that is converted into fat by the liver. People who consume excess fructose intake can develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is linked to an increase in visceral fat. High sugar intake and rapid spikes in blood sugar can be inflammatory. Chronic inflammation can result in excess fat storage in the abdominal region."
