found that dieters who ate five servings of whole grains daily for 12 weeks lost twice as much stomach fat as those who ate refined carbs. The researchers credit the higher fiber in whole grains for the significant reduction in belly fat.
Blueberries
Overweight rats fed the human equivalent of 1 cup of blueberries a day stored less belly fat than those that didn’t eat them, reports a University of Michigan study. The researchers believe compounds in anthocyanin, the pigment that gives blueberries their tint, may turn on genes related to fat burning.
Green Tea
Study participants who drank up to 5 cups of green tea daily had greater exercise-induced declines in ab flab than non-tea drinkers, finds research in the Journal of Nutrition . The study’s authors think that green tea catechins may stimulate the body’s fight-or-flight response, altering fat storage.
Dried Fruit
Munching on a tablespoon or more of dried fruit per day may help stave off abdominal obesity , according to data presented at Experimental Biology 2009. Measure out a tablespoon or two and toss into oatmeal, trail mix, salad, or grain dishes for a burst of sweetness.
