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Diets to Lose Stomach Weight

More than 1 billion adults in the world are overweight, according to the World Health Organization. Being overweight has been identified as a major risk factor for heart disease by the American Heart Association. One of the places that fat is stored on the body is near the stomach. To burn stomach fat, you simply need to cut back on the number of calories you consume.

  1. Very Low Calorie Diets

    • According to The Diet Channel, very low calorie diets (VLCDs) should only be used under the strict supervision of a doctor when trying to lose stomach weight. VLCDs are diets in which an individual consumes fewer than 800 calories a day. They are short-lived and should only be used for three to six months. Very low calorie diets may help you lose stomach weight, but they also have side effects including fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.

    Understanding Calories

    • The Harvard School of Public Health explains that lower calorie diets result in weight loss regardless of what combination of food a person eats. Eating a certain combination of carbohydrates, fats and protein will not make you gain more or less weight. In terms of weight loss, calories are calories regardless of where they come from. However, eating certain types of food can reduce your appetite, which helps with weight loss.

    High-Protein Diets

    • High-protein diets may help with weight loss because protein tends to be more filling than other types of food. The Journal of Nutrition did a study on the effects of protein on satiety and found that meals that were higher in protein generally resulted in a more filling meal. The Mayo Clinic suggests getting between 10 and 35 percent (50 and 175 grams) of your calories from protein a day. Consuming meals that are high in protein may help you lose stomach weight by reducing your appetite for food, thus helping you consume fewer calories.

    High-Fiber Diets

    • High-fiber diets can help with weight loss and losing stomach weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Foods that are high in fiber tend to be higher in volume, but lower in calories. Fiber also takes a long time to digest, which can help keep you fuller for longer periods of time. Aside from weight loss, high fiber diets have other benefits including controlling blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol levels, lowering the risk for digestive conditions and preventing constipation.

    Stay Hydrated

    • Diets for losing stomach weight have to be lower in calories regardless of what type of food you consume. Regardless of what type of diet you choose to follow, or how many calories you choose to consume, staying hydrated can help you reduce your appetite for food, increase your energy level and ultimately help you lose some stomach weight. The Ohio State University Extension Program explains that staying hydrated reduces a person's appetite for food and may increase their resting metabolic rate at the same time.

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