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[L560]Lose Belly Fat Diet

by Leslie M. Quesenberry, Les

Having a great looking stomach is the goal both men and women. Certainly there are differences between what men and women are looking for. Men generally want to go for the more muscular "six pack" look while women want the sleek slender look. But there's is something vital that these two goals share: A lack of fat. Really the key to a great looking stomach whether you are a man or a woman is to lose as much belly fat as you can.

That's why the key to a great looking stomach is not ab exercises (which are not an effective way of burning fat) but starting a lose belly fat diet. What is a lose belly fat diet? It's a diet plan which boosts the dieter's metabolism so that he or she burns fat faster than they normally would. Another key part of a truly effective diet for losing belly fat is that it must be easy enough to follow that it can be "stuck with" until the goal of a trim stomach is reached.

The key to boosting the metabolism is taking a regular "day off" from dieting. Basically on this "day off" the dieter should be able to eat anything (and everything) that they want. I know this may sound unusual at first but once you understand the science of how it works you will see why it is necessary.

This "day off" when the dieter eats anything they want causes a "calorie spike" which tricks the body into thinking it's getting more calories than it actually needs which in turn boosts the metabolism so that the body is burning fat faster. This "day off" should be once a week for the best results.

It is important that you choose a diet which includes this "day off" mechanism built into the diet plan itself. If you try to add this concept to a diet plan which does not include it you may actually do more harm than good. It's a good idea to do what is already proven to work rather than wasting your time trying a dieting strategy that is completely unproven.

Along with boosting the metabolism, the other big key for an effective lose belly fat diet is simplicity. What do I mean by that? I mean the diet plan must be simple enough to follow so that it is easy to stick with over the long term (until all weight loss goals are reached.) This factor is way too often overlooked which is why many people start a diet plan that they can never stick with. That's simply a waste of time.

You must avoid all diet plans which include calorie counting, carb counting, or fat counting. You must also avoid any diet that includes the keeping of a food journal. Why? Because all of these things keep your mind constantly focused on food. It makes your diet into a big "ordeal" that is constantly taking away your precious energy and focus.

It's better to choose a diet plan that is simply focused on the good foods you should be eating rather than on counting all of your calories. This will make for an easier diet to follow and it will also help you to change your eating habits for the better. Your diet should be focused on the "green light foods" that should make up the majority of anybody's healthy diet.

At least, that's what almost all the diet gurus say.

But did you know that when we cut too much fat from our diets, we may be eliminating the very element we need to absorb the vitamins and nutrients that keep us healthy.

That's because certain vitamins, especially in fruits and vegetables, are "fat-soluble." In other words, your body can't absorb nutrients unless enough fat is present.

So if you're constantly eliminating the fat from your diet to cut calories or to follow the latest warnings, you may be getting far less healthful effects from your salads, other vegetables and fruits.

In studies released in 2004 and again this year by Ohio State University, researchers found that the absorption of carotenoids from yellow, orange, and red vegetables is better when you eat them with some fat. Carotenoids are believed to have cancer-fighting properties.

Here is a partial list of some fat-soluble compounds that may be absorbed better if you eat them with fat:

1. Beta Carotene. This can be found in foods such as cantaloupe and carrots.

The researchers suggest eating salads with full-fat rather than low-fat or no-fat dressings. So if you put carrots in your salad, full-fat dressing may help you to absorb the nutrients.

But with so many people unable to stay on strict low-fat or veggie diets, why not choose something that tastes a little better? For example, something that people in Pittsburgh once called a Boston cooler.

You cut a cantaloupe in half (leave the rind on), clean the seeds out of the middle, and put a scoop of chocolate or vanilla ice cream in the hollow of the half-melon.

Then place the half-melon in a bowl so it doesn't fall over when you try to eat it. You eat the ice cream and the melon with a spoon.

It's about 250 calories, but it's a great snack or dessert. You get to indulge with ice cream, but still get some good nutrients from the cantaloupe.

It's also filling. So you shouldn't be as hungry as when you just nibble on a salad.

And the best part is that the fat in the ice cream may enhance your body's ability to absorb the fat-soluble compounds from the cantaloupe. (Although no one knows for sure at the moment.)

2. Lycopene. This is the red carotenoid found in watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit.

It's also a potential cancer fighter. Researchers have shown that our bodies absorb the lycopene in tomatoes more efficiently as sauce, juice or ketchup.

Here again, rather than always eating salads with full-fat dressing, why not try cheese ravioli with tomato sauce? It's a tasty, satisfying dinner.

And you may be enhancing your absorption of the lycopene in the tomato sauce with the cheese in the ravioli.

3. Vitamin E. This can be found in broccoli, mangoes, peanuts and spinach.

Some research suggests that vitamin E can help your heart and possibly prevent blood clots. But the results aren't conclusive yet.

However, a recent German study with rats showed that eating trans fats actually slowed the absorption of vitamin E when compared to other types of fats. So this may get tricky.

4. Lutein. This antioxidant can be found in dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach and also in egg yolks.

Lutein is supposed to help your skin and your eyes, particularly in reducing the risk of macular degeneration.

I find it interesting that we're allowed to eat eggs again when the food police vilified eggs for so many years - particularly egg yolks.

Have we also gone too far in vilifying fat?

So before you completely cut the fat from your diet, think about the nutrients you may be missing.

Now I'm not saying we should eat only high-fat foods.

But while it's not healthy to go to extremes with high fat, it seems as though it's not healthy to go to extremes with low fat, either.

Maybe it isn't only the fat that's making us fat, but also the number of calories we consume. Some moderation in both areas just might do the trick.

And I believe people are more likely to lose weight if they like the foods they eat.

So talk to your doctor about whether you really need to cut so much fat from your diet. Or is it healthy to have a little ice cream or ravioli once in a while?

His answer might surprise you.

Copyright (c) 2006 Debbie Fontana

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Both Leslie M. Quesenberry & Debbie Fontana are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Leslie M. Quesenberry has sinced written about articles on various topics from Engagement Rings, Diamonds and belly fat. Leslie M. Quesenberry recommends checking out the following resources (1) (2). Leslie M. Quesenberry's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Debbie Fontana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Start Online Business and Home Businesses. Debbie Fontana is a full-time author and business owner who writes about health, weight loss, looking great, and feeling fantastic. She created the delicious I Love to Cheat lifestyle diet and the companion I Love to Cheat Rewards Newsletter. She encourag. Debbie Fontana's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.