I think most of us know how to diet. I mean, intuitively we know that we should be eating healthy foods in order to lose weight. As a personal trainer it’s important to emphasis that losing belly fat is more than just what we eat. A good exercise program also plays a key role in how we feel and how quickly we lose fat. With that said, taking a look at what we put into our bodies, not just for the purposes of a short term diet, but a long life is vitally important to our health.
Most people believe that weight loss is an easy equation of calories in and calories out. Meaning, you will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume. While this is partially true, it’s not the whole truth when it comes to losing weight. The type of calories you consume has greater impact on your health than strictly the amount you’re eating.
If you haven’t already started reading labels at the grocery store you should start now. You might be surprised to find out how many products contain high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is not the same as glucose. Glucose is something our body definitely needs for energy and life. Complex carbs are broken up in the body and converted to glucose and metabolized in all of our cells for immediate energy. High fructose corn syrup, on the other hand, is a man made sugar that does not affect our body in the same way glucose does.
Many scientists have come out and said that high fructose corn syrup or HFCS is one of the number 1 reasons why our country is faced with so many problems relating to obesity and disease today. HFCS is not metabolized in the body the same as glucose. It is metabolized in the liver and turned into fatty acids.
Another reason why you might be consuming more calories is that foods containing HFCS do not stimulate the hormone leptin. This is the hunger hormone that lets us know when we feel full. When we eat, this hormone is secreted and we feel full and satiated. However, when we eat foods with high fructose corn syrup we still feel hungry and as a result consume a lot more food than we otherwise would.
Even when you think you are making a healthy choice by buying protein bars, granola bars, yogurt or packaged oatmeal….read the label. If it contains high fructose corn syrup you are inadvertently contributing to fat accumulation around the belly.
What should you eat?
My advice is to eliminate soda’s, pre-packaged foods and meals that contain HFCS. Eat fresh and organic foods that haven’t been injected with hormones or stuffed full of toxic additives. This way you know exactly what and how much you’re eating. Eliminating foods with harmful ingredients will help you lose belly fat and feel better overall.
More information on HFCS, belly fat and obesity.
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