The worst habits that cause belly fat in women

 Are you ruining your slim body just because of these bad habits?

Don't just eat the same thing over and over again

 /// Artwork: Shutterstock

Don't just eat the same thing over and over again

ILLUSTRATION: SHUTTERSTOCK

Here is a list of mistakes many women make that make their breasts "fertile", according to Eat This, Not That!

1. Likes junk food with a lot of sugar

Junk foods that are high in sugar like cupcakes, cookies, and even protein bars (which can contain more than 20 grams of sugar) can contribute to weight gain.

Instead, eat these healthy snacks to help with weight loss.

2. Drink soft drinks instead of tea

Alexandra Miller, Corporate Dietitian at Medifast (USA), explains: Sugary drinks, such as soda, coffee or sweetened tea, and fruit juices, can lead to excess calorie consumption and weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.

Instead of juice, drink filtered water mixed with fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

3. Obsessed with Gluten-Free Food

Sarah-Jane Bedwell (USA) shared: Most gluten-free breads are made from refined grains, with white rice flour being the most common. These breads have twice the carbs of whole wheat bread.

Studies show that people who eat whole grains have less belly fat than people who eat refined grains. If you must eat gluten-free foods, due to celiac disease or a similar diagnosis, look for gluten-free bread made with a mixture of seeds and whole grains, such as millet and amaranth.

4. You don't use chopsticks when eating

When you use a fork to pick up the tenderloin, you're probably eating it a lot faster than you would with chopsticks. Enjoy a bowl of noodles or a sushi roll with chopsticks, it slows you down, promotes more mindful eating, and can make you consume fewer calories.

5. Eat only small meals

Nutritionist Lisa Hayim (USA) said: If you like to eat many small meals throughout the day, keep them small and light, ensuring that their total calories remain within the body's needs.

If you eat many small meals but eat too many calories, what is the benefit?

6. Eat all the time and eat the same thing

Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, also known as "Dr.Taz" (USA), says: Many women eat the same breakfast, lunch and dinner over and over. Eating the same foods lowers metabolic rate and suppresses probiotic diversity.

Eating a variety of foods improves your metabolic rate because your digestive system is challenged by change and is given a new set of probiotics with each new food. Not That!

7. Drinking alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol is not good for health. Your body will burn calories from alcohol first to get it out of your body as quickly as possible. That means any calories you consume from food are burned back, making weight loss more difficult.

Worse yet, alcohol tends to stimulate the appetite, so alcohol can cause you to consume more calories (from the foods you eat).

8. Compare with partners

You exercise, eat healthy, and so on. Do not see your partner lazy to exercise, eat not according to the regime that you go off the road.

In general, women will have a higher percentage of body fat than men, despite eating fewer calories. In fact, body fat in women is 20-25%, compared to men at a healthy level of 10-15%. The important point is: Don't beat yourself up and give up comparing yourself to others.

9. Eat only egg whites

Nutritionist Kayleen St. John, at the Natural Gourmet Institute (USA), also a health support expert, said: Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin D (a vitamin that most Americans don't get enough of). Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to belly fat, according to Eat This, Not That!

Plus, the (healthy) fats in the yolks will help you feel fuller for longer and be less likely to overeat later in the day.

10. Only meet people at restaurants, bars

Even when eating foods that seem healthy when you eat out, you still can't completely control the amount of salt, oil, or fatty ingredients that go into a dish.

Research shows that people who often cook and eat at home consume fewer calories than those who often eat out.

11. Stay up late

Research consistently shows an association between short sleep duration and being overweight. Most recently, a 2014 study demonstrated that less sleep is associated with a higher body mass index.

12. Avoid fruit because it's "high in sugar"

The worst habits that cause belly fat in women

Don't avoid apples, but don't overeat either

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Not eating that apple or banana is a big mistake. Potassium, found in large amounts in fruits and vegetables, helps the body lose fat naturally.

Additionally, the sugars found in fruit work differently in the body than added sugars. Bananas, often considered "high in sugar", are rich in potassium and certainly contribute to reducing bloating and flat stomach, according to Eat This, Not That!

However, even though fruit is very good, you should only eat it in moderation, not eating too much that is harmful to your belly and health.