Flat-Belly Foods

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[x]   Transcript: Ask any 4 people to name their LEAST favorite body part, and at least one of them will say their belly. That's the conclusion from a recent Health and Beauty Survey conducted by American Laser Center. But the concern over belly fat is more serious than not looking good in your bathing suit. Research shows that abdominal fat, or visceral fat, leads to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and even certain types of cancers. The problem's not just too much fatty food or not enough exercise. Poor sleep habits, stress, and sneaky trans fats in packaged foods can all contribute to a soft fatty stomach. But don't worry - you don't need to transform your entire life for a flat stomach. You just need to fine-tune your diet. To start, eat fewer refined and processed carbohydrates such as white bread, bagels and muffins and then to replace those foods add in a mix of proteins, monounsaturated fats and foods high in antioxidants. Beans are an amazing source of protein, and since they come in a lot of varieties, you'll never get bored. The protein in navy, kidney and lima beans has a high thermic effect on the body, which means your metabolism speeds up since you're using a large amount of energy to digest and use the protein. They're also a source of meat-free protein, meaning no artery-clogging saturated fat. To loose belly fat, 25 to 30 percent of your total calorie intake should come from lean protein sources. When Danish researchers put 65 people on either a 12 percent protein diet or a 25 percent protein diet, the low-protein group lost an average of 11 pounds, which isn't bad. But the high-protein subjects lost an average of 20 pounds - including twice as much belly fat as the low-protein group. Studies also show that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats may help prevent belly fat. Monounsaturated fats come from the healthy oils found in plant foods such as olives, nuts, and avocadoes.Peanut butter counts, too. Two tablespoons of peanut butter offer 7.9 grams of monounsaturated fat and 22.4 mg of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Just be sure to choose natural peanut butters. The label should showcase only one or two ingredients: peanuts and a bit of salt. Many brands add partially hydrogenated oils in their products meaning they come packed with harmful trans fat. Any remember to keep your servings in check. Eating too much of even the healthiest of foods can undo their healthful benefits. If you have trouble fitting these "flat-belly foods" into your meals and snacks, keep a box of green tea bags around. New research has found a direct link between consuming green tea and smaller waistlines. The tea contains compounds called "catechins" that boost energy expenditure, increase the release of fat from fat cells, and speed up the burning of fat by the liver. Study participants drank four to five cups a day, but any amount will have some benefit. Just as with peanut butter, you'll want to make sure your tea is sugar free. To learn more about the best foods for "every part of your body"--- check out other videos in this series.

[x]   Bio:

Amy Hendel is a popular and recognizable medical and lifestyle reporter, expert, columnist and health host. As a Health Coach, Ms. Hendel trains and councils patients with her own unique blend of nutrition, fitness, and psychology for the whole family. Her new book The 4 Habits of Healthy Families (BenBella Publishers) released in June 2010. It offers a unique family team approach for shifting habits in the home so the family becomes a "Healthy Family for Life."Amy Hendel has completed over 1000 live and taped segments covering medical and health topics, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle issues. Noted appearances include: Today Show, The Early Show, The 700 Club, KNBC, Discovery Health, HGTV Smart Solutions, The Learning Channel, KNBC Morning and Noon News, KABC local news affiliates, EXTRA!, KTLA Evening News, and Good Day LA. She is also a print journalist and her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News. She has been a quoted guest expert in Family Circle, InStyle magazine, Fit Pregnancy. Amy is author of Fat Families Thin Families (BenBella Books 2008) and The 4 Habits of Healthy Families (2010). She has hosted her own medical talk shows on two PBS stations and hosted a radio show on Westwood One.Ms. Hendel is also certified in nutrition and exercise physiology and has combined her PA degree with this background in nutrition/exercise physiology to create a private family lifestyle therapy physician-referred practice for over 20 years.

For more information on Amy Hendel, check out HealthGal.com