What is the #1 Cause of Belly Fat?

Are you getting frustrated with trying to loose that belly fat and feeling again comfortable in your fitted clothes?

Then keep reading

There are many factors that contribute to increased waist, however what you eat is the key.

According to Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian, the top cause of belly fat is the consumption of processed foods, particularly those that are marketed and sold for convenience, such as packaged chips, bread, and baked goods.

"One of the primary causes of belly fat is a diet based largely around processed convenience foods. These can be healthy processed foods or those that aren't marketing themselves to be healthy in any way," she adds. "The ultimate reason processed foods make losing belly fat difficult is that they are largely made of refined carbohydrates and sugar."

For example, one recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that refined carbohydrate intake was closely linked to a greater waist circumference and belly fat accumulation. On the other hand, participants who consumed an average of three servings of whole grains a day and less refined grains overall had smaller waistlines, lower fasting glucose levels, lower blood pressure, and higher levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.

How refined carbs from processed foods cause belly fat?

"Refined carbohydrates are processed quickly by the body and easily stored as fat. They provide a quick source of energy, but this energy comes in the form of a glucose spike and inevitable crash," says Best, noting that this reaction can cause weight gain in two ways.

Takeaway Processed foods high in refined carbs and low in any digestion - slowing nutrients are the number one contributor to belly fat, according to Best. If you're looking to get rid of or prevent the accumulation of belly fat, consider cutting back on processed foods. A little meal prep of healthy snacks can help.

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