Established 2005

How do you lose belly fat?

Part 1 of 4 SEE NEXT Foods That Help Lose Belly Fat

What causes belly bloat?

Belly fat is very difficult to get rid of, it just hangs on no matter your efforts. One major source of a big belly is bloating. There are many causes of bloating, including water retention, digestive and gas problems and constipation. Some of these issues are directly caused by what you are eating and drinking, or rather what you aren't eating and drinking.

There are many foods that will cause bloating and you should try to reduce or eliminate them in your diet.

1. Salt is a major source of bloating. You may not even realize how much salt you are actually eating. Start reading the nutrition labels on everything you eat and drink. Make an effort to reduce your total daily intake of salt.

2. Carbs. Don't overdue the high-carbohydrates, this can lead to bloating. Cut down on things like pasta, breads, bananas, etc.

3. Sugar substitutes. These can be found in low calorie products like cookies, candy and drinks. These can cause bloating, diarhea and gas.

4. Fried foods. These foods take a lot longer for your body to digest, leaving you bloated and feeling heavy.

5. Gas-creating foods. Certain fruits and vegetables can cause gas and you should eat them in reduced quantities to avoid gas. These include broccoli, cabbage, onions, peppers, cauliflower and melon.

6. Hot chocoloate, coffee, tea, acidic fruit juices. These are all high-acid beverages and can cause bloating. Try to cut down or eliminate these in your diet.

SEE NEXT Foods That Help Lose Belly Fat