The key to losing stomach fat is a healthy and balanced diet plan that doesn't leave out any nutrients, and respects portions. Exercise, too, can not be discounted in your quest to lose stomach fat. Today, we give you inputs from Priya Kathpal – Nutritionist at Birla Research & Life sciences, Mumbai, about what is a good diet plan to lose stomach fat.

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 1: Improve your eating habits
Give away all your temptations for unhealthy food, if you want to lose stomach fat. Many of us eat junk due to temptation, but this cannot be a regular habit for a diet plan aimed at a leaner stomach. Priya says, "the biggest cause of a flabby stomach is indulgence in junk food and sugar items. Watch your calorie consumption for a flat stomach." 

Wondering why this junk food is bad? Priya helps us with an answer, she says: "Due to high sugar content, the level of glucose in the food increases and reduces the fat burning speed due to the presence of enhanced carbohydrates and sugar. So watch what you eat, because you are storing that food in your body, which will surely show some effect." 

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 2: Add omega-3 fatty acids in at least one meal
If you love fish and want to lose stomach fat, then hop into foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. The key is moderation. Priya says, "Foods with omega-3 fatty acids not just help to lose stomach fat, but are also good for your heart health. Besides, it also prevents weight gain and maintains good health. Choose foods like salmon, tuna, flaxseeds, soybeans and walnut to get adequate omega-3 fatty acid." 

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 3: Choose good carbs
Pick a diet filled with fruits and vegetables to lose stomach fat. Integrate this in your lose stomach fat diet plan, because fruits and vegetables have good carbs. Avoid donuts, desserts and cookies as far as possible. Again, keep in mind that though good carbs help reduce fat naturally, over indulgances will make your journey toward a flat stomach a lot longer and tougher. In fact, if you go beyond the limit, it can increase your insulin level, and reduce your metabolic rate, because your body cannot process too many carbs. 

Choose, a low cereal carb diet approach to lose stomach fat effectively. Your diet should be a mixture of good carbohydrates, proteins and good fats.

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 4: No late night food
Get into the habit of finishing your dinner by 8pm. We know it is difficult to finish dinner so early, but if you can’t do this then Priya suggests that you "eat a small evening meal and don’t eat too many evening snacks. Late night or evening munching slows down our digestions process and causes high blood sugar levels, which further results in abdominal fat. Hence, if you want to lose stomach fat, avoid emotional cravings for evening snacks and follow a strict low glycemic diet.

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 5: Choose nuts as snacks instead of regular chips
Include nuts as evening snacks to lose stomach fat. Nuts and seeds are high in fiber, protein and monounsaturated fats, which are good stomach filling fats. Include nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and peanuts. To consider it as a healthy snack pick a handful or two tablespoons of nuts and seeds. Anything more, and your body will store it as extra fat.

Lose Stomach Fat Tip # 6: Breakfast is important
If you are planning a fat loss diet plan, then eat breakfast every single day. It is the most important part of a fat loss diet plan, because it helps to maintain your metabolic rate, blood sugar which keeps you full for a long time and full of energy. "Choose whole grain for breakfast; examples: Bulgar, to keep your stomach full for a long time. The fibre present in this whole grain helps your stomach stay fuller with less food," says Priya.

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