sarahness

Be ready for the summer! Get a flat stomach and lose belly fat with these simple diet tips.

1. Cut back on low-carb snacks.
   Many bars and candies contain glycerin or sugar alcohols, which can cause bloating because your body can’t fully digest them, says Leslie Bonci, R.D., at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.




2. Have more H2O.
   Drinking water makes you retain less water by carrying bloat-causing elements such as salt out of your body.




3. Push the potassium.
   This natural diuretic can counteract the belly-bulging effects of extra salt. Find it in tomatoes, bananas, salmon, almonds, and cherries.




4. Watch it with condiments.
   Condiments can be high in salt, leaving you bloated and puffy. A quarter cup of ketchup gives you a third of a day’s sodium allotment; a tablespoon of soy sauce holds nearly half a day’s worth.




5. Stop eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
   If you have to munch on something, eat a small portion of vegetables or fruit. Not eating late can make a huge difference.




6. Eat smaller meals more often.
   Instead of 2-3 big meals per day to keep from having that bloated look and feeling. Eating more meals actually kicks up your metabolism.




7. Add fiber to your diet and cut down your intake of the bad carbs.
   Foods such as white bread, pastas, potatoes, and white rice should be limited. Eat brown rice and whole wheat bread instead. To get that needed fiber increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially the leafy green ones).




8. Drink skim milk instead of whole milk.
   Keep your dairy intake at a minimum because these products often cause bloating and gas.