Want to lose visceral fat? Avoid these 4 foods, says the dietitian

Letting go of the guilty pleasures you love most is one of the hardest parts of dieting. (We’re looking at you, French fries and chocolate chip cookies!) If your ultimate goal is to lose visceral fat and tighten things up, there are some foods you definitely need to avoid. Not only can they contribute to excess body fat, but they also do your overall health a disservice.

We spoke with Lisa Young, Ph.D., RDNthe author of Finally full, finally thin, nutritionist in private practice and member of our Medical Expert Council, who reveals four of the worst foods you should avoid for weight loss. Read on to learn all about them, and then don’t miss out. You’ll Never Lose Weight If You Do These 5 Things Again, Expert Says.

First, Young suggests ditching white bread, pasta, and rice if you want to lose visceral fat.

If you’re not already familiar with the dangers of refined carbs, Young explains, “These refined carbs are high in carbs, which not only raises your blood sugar, but it also turns into sugar and is easily stored. Refined carbohydrates have negative health effects. effects as they have gone through processing where fiber and other nutrients are removed.”

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Next time you’re cooking eggs or heading to your favorite breakfast spot, hold the side of bacon! You might not be too surprised to learn that processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, and bacon are off limits if you want to lose weight. Unfortunately we are even talk about prosciutto and salami on your beloved charcuterie board.

The “sneaky ingredients” in processed meats have no health benefits, says Young. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, these types of meats are preserved by salting, smoking, or curing. They may also contain chemical preservatives. In addition to contributing to abdominal fat gain, eating processed meats also increases your risk of developing cancer.

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Your favorite fried foods like spring rolls, French fries, onion rings, fried pickles, and fried chicken are loaded with unhealthy fats like saturated and/or trans fats, says Young. “Fried foods are also high in calories due to the amount of oil needed, which contributes to weight gain,” she adds. “Similar to refined carbohydrates, fried foods convert to sugar in the body and are stored as visceral fat in and around the abdomen.”

This last food can be the hardest to accept, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Drop cookie dough ice cream because it doesn’t help you lose visceral fat.

Young tells us, “Ice cream is high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories that all contribute to visceral fat gain. Plus, it also contains artificial flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives.”

Alexa Mellardo