The #1 Best Eating Habit for a Flat Belly, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That

There is a lot of debate about which food is really the most important; In the United States, it is generally regarded as breakfastbut in different countries of the world emphasis is placed on food Y Dinner also.

But according to Meghan Stoops, DR a naked nutritionnone of that should matter. Instead of eating the traditional three large meals, the best eating habit to help get and maintain a flat stomach is to eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day.

“It helps keep your metabolism running optimally and avoid overeating throughout the day,” says Stoops. “In other words, it’s an easy way to reduce your overall intake while still feeling full.”

Read on and for tips on healthy eating see 4 ways to go out to dinner and still lose weight.

This can be a difficult change to make for people who are more used to eating three larger meals throughout the day. To help ease the transition, Stoops recommends continuing to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, but keep them smaller and include two snacks between meals throughout the day.

He also says that it is important to include good sources of proteinas much as fiber sources, at each meal to help keep you feeling full. In addition to the benefits of eating smaller, more frequent meals, including regular sources of protein-rich foods in your diet will also help contribute to a flat stomach, according to a study 2018 from the UK The study says a high-protein diet may be an “effective weight-loss strategy” because it reduces hunger and increases energy expenditure.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

One of the things that can keep a tummy from looking flatter is swellingand Stoops adds that eating smaller meals at a more frequent pace can help stave off bloating because it avoids the heavy digestion that bodies go through after consuming a large meal.

“If you’re prone to bloating, choosing small, frequent meals can help avoid the heavy digestive burden that a large meal often causes, thereby eliminating the discomfort of bloating and gas,” says Stoops. “It’s much easier on the stomach.”

In addition to helping relieve swellingbeing easier on the stomach according to Stoops and aiding in the effort to get and maintain a flat stomach, eating several smaller meals throughout the day has also been associated with better heart health, says a study 2019.

The study concludes that eating more than four meals a day can improve cholesterol levels, ultimately leading to better heart health and a lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

So if you’re interested in trying this method of eating, grab some of your favorite snacks to have on hand between meals and give them a try!

Erin Yarnall