Article: Lean proteins, such as chicken and fish, are essential if you’re trying to get rid of belly fat. High-quality lean proteins help stabilize your blood sugar and fill you up, keeping you from feeling the urge to snack on unhealthy foods later.  Eating plenty of lean proteins can also help regulate your insulin and cortisol levels, both of which help get rid of your muffin top. Wild salmon is a particularly good source of lean protein that also contains belly fat-fighting omega-3 fatty acids.  Eggs are also a great source of lean protein that contain relatively few calories. Eggs are also generally inexpensive, making them a great option for fighting belly fat on a budget. Like lean proteins, eating more fiber is essential for getting rid of your muffin top. Fibrous foods help you stay full and satisfied longer, decreasing your desire to snack and your caloric intake.  Apples, bananas, raspberries, pears, and strawberries are all high fiber fruits that can help fill you up and fight belly fat.  Broccoli, brussels sprouts, turnip greens, and green peas all contain several grams of fiber per serving. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as kale and spinach, can reduce inflammation that contributes to belly fat. In addition, these foods contain several of the vitamins your body needs to stay healthy and keep on track with your fat-burning plan. Green tea is also a great fat-burning option that is high in antioxidants. While it may seem counter-intuitive to increase your intake of fat, healthy unsaturated fats can actually fight belly fat rather than add to it. Avocados, olive oil, raw nuts, and fish are all great sources of monounsaturated fats that will fill you up and give you more energy without increasing unwanted body fat. In contrast to unsaturated fats, which can fight belly fat, saturated and trans fats, such as those found in processed cheese, can contribute to belly fat and easily derail your progress. Sugar is likely one of the biggest contributors to the development of your muffin top. Foods that are high in processed sugar tend to be very high in calories, which can be difficult to burn off. Processed sugar can also be addictive, causing you to overindulge and increase the amount of fat stored in your belly. Therefore, to get rid of your muffin top, it’s crucial that you avoid consuming too much sugar and instead, focus on filling up on healthier options.  While it’s important to cut back on sugar, you don’t need to give it up entirely to get rid of your muffin top. Try to eat sugar only occasionally and practice portion control when you do.  When you’re craving something sweet, try eating fruit instead of anything made with processed sugar. While fruits are still high in sugar, the natural sugar found in fruits is much less likely to contribute to belly fat. To help get rid of your muffin top, avoid eating highly processed carbohydrates, including white bread, pastries, cookies, cake, white rice, and potato products. While eating some healthy carbohydrates helps fuel your body for workouts, processed carbohydrates can increase your insulin levels and, in turn, increase or maintain the amount of fat stored in your belly.  Insulin keeps fat where it’s currently stored. Therefore, if you have a muffin top, increasing your insulin levels can keep your belly fat where it is.  Instead of processed carbohydrates, focus on eating healthy, whole grain carbohydrates, such as quinoa and oats. Skipping meals can increase your cortisol levels, which can contribute to belly fat. Therefore, it’s important that you make an effort to eat regularly to help manage your body’s stress hormones.  Eating healthy snacks and regular meals will also help keep you from overeating or snacking late at night.  Eating regularly also keeps your metabolism from lagging, which is essential for getting rid of your muffin top.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Fill up on lean proteins. Incorporate more healthy fiber into your diet. Consume plenty of antioxidant-rich options. Add more healthy fats into your diet. Avoid consuming too much processed sugar. Steer clear of processed carbohydrates. Eat healthy meals regularly to keep up your metabolism.