Flat Belly Diet Information

It is physically impossible to spot-reduce fat on the human body. Therefore, to get a flat belly, one must engage in a diet-and-exercise regimen that will end up not only complimenting the belly, but the entire figure.

Background

• The body cannot simply pick and choose where to lose fat; there is no way to "spot reduce" fat in a specific area. Therefore, if you are trying to rid your body of excess fat, excess fat will come off different areas of the body.This might sound discouraging if you are aiming to have a flat belly, but you just need to remember that getting a flat belly is going to take more than a restrictive, "fat-reducing" diet. While you will lose fat all over your body with a restrictive diet, you will not see the "flat belly" results with just a diet.

Exercise

• There are several exercises that will, in a matter of weeks, leave you feeling healthier and more toned. A great toning exercise for the stomach that also builds core strength is crunches. Crunches work your abdominal muscles, so, if you eat a lean diet and have little fat on your stomach, you can have a six- or eight-pack--or, at least, a well-defined midsection. To do crunches, lie flat on the ground, bringing your knees parallel to the floor so that your feet are about a hand-length from your bottom. Place your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand on your right shoulder. Curl your head and back off the floor until your elbows touch your thighs. For an extra challenge, and to work your transverse abdominal muscles (the ones on the sides of your body), instead of having both elbows meet both thighs, reach for your left thigh with your right elbow and vice versa.

Diet

• Eating a healthy, well-balanced, and, in specific cases, restricted, diet can also contribute to having a flatter stomach. While the average person needs 2,000 calories a day, this number vastly differs based on various characteristics, such as body size, gender and the level of activity the person engages in every day.

  If you are less active, you can cut your calories a healthful bit. About 1,200 to 1,600 calories for an inactive woman who wants to lose weight is a healthy range, while 1,500 to 2,000 for an inactive male who wants to lose weight is a healthy range. Consult your doctor or dietary professional about your goals and calorie requirements before drastically changing your calorie intake.

  No matter what your calorie requirement, making sure these calories are full of nutrients is essential. Eating fruits, vegetables and protein--and cutting out fats and oils--can make a huge difference in your appearance. Make sure to read nutrition labels to ensure that the foods you consume are healthy.