Style -- 1 day ago
10 Foods You Need To Cut Out Of Your Diet To Get A Six-Pack
Last week we addressed the foods that you should be indulging in if getting the summer body Holy Grail – the six-pack – was your fitness goal. Commitment to sub-10% body fat isn’t one to be taken lightly and not only will it require hours pumping iron but strict dietary discipline also. Simply adding a few more vegetables and meat wont cut it – ‘it’ in this case being the fat stored around the stomach. Here are the foods and drinks that’ll you to have to ditch pronto if you intend to swap the spare tyre for something more polished and chiselled.
SOFT DRINKS
The carbonated cans do absolutely nothing good to your body, only bad. They damage your teeth, liver and kidneys and will stop your abs from making an appearance. Cut them out and you’ll have more energy, be more hydrated and will lose weight. Ditch even diet versions and replace them with water, carbonated if you want a similar sensation.
SWEET TREATS
Sugar is the devil. Your body can only process a maximum of 3-6 grams of simple carbs at a time, or one tablespoon of sugar and until you cut it out the six-pack is staying sealed behind the blubber. Sweets, chocolate, pastries, all of it – start snacking on nuts and small amounts of low-fructose fruit instead.
PROCESSED FRUIT JUICE
Fructose plus added sugar, almost as bad as those soft drinks. If you need your morning OJ, have a small glass and squeeze it yourself.
WHITE RICE, BREAD, PASTA ETC.
Refined grains are simple carbs and a key cause of weight gain. Replace these with complex carbohydrates, whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal and the like. Look to reduce carbohydrate intake in general over time, and restrict them to early in the day.
ALCOHOL
Those after-work and weekend pints are going to have to take a back seat. If you’re going to have a drink restrict it to vodka (or gin) and tonics – ditching the booze all together will do you the world of good.
POTATO PRODUCTS
Simple carbs again. Replace with sweet potatoes and absolutely no crisps, chips and the like.
DEEP-FRIED WHATEVER
Is this not obvious? The takeaways are going to have to go if you’re taking your fitness seriously.
CEREALS AND BREAKFAST BARS
Many of these are practically sweets in a box and far from a healthy breakfast option. Stick to porridge or other oats and watch your portions. Remember to read the labels of what you’re eating, particularly with pseudo-healthy foods, watch out for the dreaded high sugar content.
YOGHURT
Another one full of deception. Natural Greek yoghurt is great for you in sensible portions and will help in the battle against the belly, other options are no good at all. The flavoured yoghurt is, you’ve probably guessed by now, full of sugar, stick to natural Greek or nothing.
RED MEAT
Limit this to once a week at most, a great source of essential proteins red meats are also high in fats and typically promote weight gain. Stick to tuna, chicken and other white meats the vast majority of the time.
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