As you may already know, losing weight requires making several changes in your lifestyle. One major factor to this is that you have to get your body moving. Engaging in regular physical activity not only strengthens your muscles and gives you endurance, but it also improves your overall mood and reduces your risk of getting diseases.
But let’s be real: If you want to get rid of excess belly fat, working out shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind. There are other factors you should consider too. Take for example, eating more nutritious food, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. So with that being said, what are the other ways you can lose fat aside from exercising? We asked nutritionists to find out. Keep reading to learn more from Lisa Richards, author of The Candida Diet, Dr. Nikola Djordjevic of Health Careers, and Dr. Josh Axe of Ancient Nutrition.
How To Get Rid Of Excess Belly Fat
Avoid Refined Carbohydrates
According to Richards, “have many negative side effects for our health and belly fat is just one of them.” She adds, “White and enriched breads in particular have undergone a refining process where the fiber and beneficial nutrients are removed and possibly replaced with synthetic versions.”
These foods are not recommended if you want to lose weight because they can cause “quick sugar spikes and inflammation, both of which stall weight loss and damage health.” As an alternative, you can go for whole wheat bread or other whole grain breads.
Maintain A Diet That’s Rich In Lean Proteins
Additionally, Richards says that getting enough lean proteins in your diet can help boost your metabolism, make you stay fuller longer, and lose weight. She notes, “An increased metabolism will lead to weight loss, and having a feeling of fullness will prevent overeating and indulging in calorie-dense, sugar-laden foods.” Some of the high-protein foods she recommends include “poultry, fish, nuts, eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, chia, lentils, and quinoa.”
Drink Green Tea
If you want to kickstart your body’s fat-burning process, green tea is the way to go. Dr. Djordjevic explains, “The major component of green tea, [epigallocatechin gallate otherwise known as EGCG], is a strong antioxidant that is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory action. ECGC suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines and related enzymes in your body.”
He continues, “[The] antioxidants in green tea also help you burn fat by speeding up your metabolism, thus aiding in weight loss. In short, green tea is a magic drink loaded with antioxidants that can even prevent diseases such as cancer, tumors, high cholesterol, and heart diseases.”
Similarly, Dr. Axe shares, “Green tea is a healthy addition to your diet since its consumption has been considered a natural metabolism booster for centuries thanks to special antioxidant compounds. Green tea isn’t just beneficial due to its antioxidant content. It’s also been shown to be a natural fat-burning beverage, in part due to its caffeine. Sipping on a cup of matcha green tea is not only soothing—drinking it regularly may help to reduce body fat and lower cholesterol levels.”
