Snacking Habits Increasing Your Belly Fat, Dietitian Reveals

If you love snacking, you know how hard it is to give up your beloved sweet and salty snacks throughout the day. But he may be surprised to learn that there are some snacking habits that secretly increase belly fat. You heard right! we chat with lauren managerMS, RDN, LD, CLEC, an award-winning registered dietitian, book author, and recipe developer, calling these sneaky little culprits in their tracks so you can smarter and healthier snack going forward

Some studies show that your daily snack habit could result in more gradual weight loss or weight gain, health line reports. one in particular to study published in the Journal of Hepatology made 36 skinny men increase the number of calories they consumed by 40%. They did this by snacking between larger meals. The results? These men had a substantial jump in both liver and belly fat.

Having too much belly fat is associated with a significant number of health risks and could be even more dangerous for women compared to men, according to Harvard Health Journal. An increased amount of visceral fat encompassing your organs could lead to diabetes and put your cardiovascular health at high risk. That’s why it’s imperative to stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and make sure you’re making the right healthy choices when it comes to eating. Manaker walks us through the snacking habits that secretly increase belly fat.

Related: Eat These Fruits to Get Rid of Belly Fat, Expert Says

What are the sneaky snacking habits that increase belly fat?

First and foremost, eating candy that it’s packed with sugar is a big no-no and just gives your body empty calories. Sweets are also linked to high blood sugar levels. Eating too many calories (from sweets, for example) without fiber, healthy fats, or protein to keep you full can lead to belly fat, Manaker explains.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

This brings us to the next point: you’re not getting healthy fats or protein with your snacks. The feeling of fullness you get after enjoying a meal or snack can keep you from overeating. “And two macros, healthy fats and protein, can help promote satiety,” Manaker tells us. So pair a high-carb snack with a nut butter, which is a stellar source of healthy fats and protein. This combo will be incredibly satisfying and will ultimately help you decrease belly fat.

Then add sugary sodas to your “stay away from” list soon. “Even if you eat healthy, balanced snacks, if you pair them with a sugary soda, you may have trouble reducing belly fat,” says Manaker, adding, “Sugay sodas can contribute to excessive calorie intake without even realizing it.” .”

Last but not least, you’re not enjoying snacks that contain probiotics. “Your gut health can affect belly fat and weight, and not getting enough probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi can negatively impact that aspect of your health,” explains Manaker.

Need inspiration for snacking to avoid belly fat? We’ve got you covered. Manaker suggests enjoying fresh vegetables with a healthy dressing like your favorite hummus or nut butter. “Vegetables tend to be lower in calories and carbs, and sauces provide satiating macros to help fight belly fat,” she says.

alexa mellardo