Foods to Avoid to Lose a Gut

The midsection is one of the first areas where fat is deposited. A gut can be as dangerous to your health as it is unattractive; increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses. To lose the belly, it is essential to exercise and stick to a diet built around wholesome, unprocessed foods. Yet, equally important is the food you avoid in order to reach that goal; from fatty fast food meals to less obviously unhealthy fare like refined bread.

Red Meat

• Red meat may be tasty, but it's not your ally when shedding belly fat.

  Red meat is a popular protein staple throughout America, but it should be avoided when trying to lose fat around your midsection. Compared to other sources of protein, red meat digests poorly, contributing to fat buildup that goes straight to the gut. Meanwhile, cuts of red meat can contain saturated fat, another major source of weight gain. Reduce your red meat intake and opt instead for protein from lean chicken, fish, nuts and beans, all of which are easier to digest and healthier overall.

Trans Fats

• Hydrogenated oils and other trans fats feed a large gut.

  Food made with hydrogenated oils contain trans fats, a type of fat proven to add weight directly to the midsection. Trans fats can be found in processed foods and condiments such as margarine, cake mixes, candy, doughnuts, canned soups and frozen foods, even those that claim to be "low-fat". These days it's easier to avoid trans fats when deciding what to pick up at the grocery store, as many items are labeled "trans fat free". In the meantime, stay away from fast food joints, which are notorious for frying their food in hydrogenated oils and tossing in condiments chock full of trans fats.

Refined Foods

• Toss the baguette for a trimmer waistline.

  Refined flour and sugar are among the top contributors to belly fat, and unfortunately, they're just about everywhere. Countless food products on American store shelves are loaded with refined flour, sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup, from sugary candy and sodas to pasta and breads. When you consume refined fare such as white bread, your blood sugar levels rise and give way to a heightened insulin response, allowing fat to be deposited more easily. Limit sweets and ensure that you get the bulk of your grains from unrefined sources to lose stomach fat.