So where does belly fat come from, and how do we get rid of it? Let’s start with the basics. We all need energy in our food to fuel our daily body processes. But when we eat too many calories, our bodies store the excess as fat – ready to be used when food energy is in short supply.

The problem is that for most of us in the modern world, that food shortage never happens. Quite the reverse, in fact. We have far too many opportunities to consume more and more fattening foods, and the excess has to be stored somewhere.

Initially, the unwanted fat is stored in fat cells around the waist, hips and chest area. But when this area fills up, your body uses the belly area as a convenient storage area. So if we want to get rid of this belly fat, we need to tackle the excess.

Boosting Your Metabolism

In a moment, we are going to look at some great foods that can really help you in torching your belly fat. But let’s be clear…the only way to lose weight successfully is to run a calorie deficit. That means the number of calories you burn through exercise and your normal daily life MUST exceed the number of calories you eat per day (on average).

You can’t cheat this fact – it’s basic mathematics, and this basic principle will never go away. But with that in mind, we can choose foods that tip the balance in our favor. By selecting foods that boost your metabolism, you can incinerate food faster and get the results you want.

But that’s not all. We can also get an edge by choosing foods that help us feel fuller, reduce bloating and minimize water retention. These will all help us to achieve that perfect ‘flat belly’ look with minimum effort. After all, let’s be honest…eating tasty foods is a lot more fun than doing tough daily abs exercises!

So let’s look at some fat-torching superfoods that can help you achieve that supermodel belly look.

#1. Fermented Foods

Good bacteria are your best friends when it comes to torching belly fat! Your gut bacteria play a vital role in healthy digestion. They not only boost immunity, they also regulate many digestive functions and help to banish bloat. When you add all this together, it results in a healthy attack on excess fat.

So how do you encourage these fat-busting pals? Simply choose fermented foods such as miso, tempeh and sauerkraut. These all contain probiotics – the good bacteria we need for optimum fat burning.

Other great probiotic-rich foods include unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt and skyr. Ideally, you should opt for products that have at least five strains of bacterial cultures per serving.

#2. Go Nuts for Nuts!

A study by the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that people who snack on nuts have lower abdominal fat than those who don’t. Because nuts are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, they reduce your temptation to eat other, less healthy fats. They are satisfying on their own, so your cravings for fatty foods diminish.

So instead of snacking on carb-based or other fat-based snacks, try a small handful of almonds, peanuts, walnuts or pistachios. You will see that belly fat melting away in no time.

#3. Beans and Lentils

Pulses such as beans and lentils contribute to busting belly fat by reducing bloat and assisting your nervous and muscular systems. Better still they are full of healthy fiber that improves digestion, and have lots of vitamins and minerals to boost your overall health.

Put all this together and you get great, nutritious foods that make a real difference to your health. You get the healthy nutrients you need, without the fatty extras you are trying to avoid.

#4. Fish

How about a super-healthy food that is packed with protein, but is low on fat…and also builds in some awesome fat-busting extras? That’s fish for you! Simply by switching some of your meat-based meals to fish-based meals, you can achieve real success in getting rid of stubborn belly fat.

We all need plenty of protein to build our bodies. The problem is that many high-protein foods also come packaged with an excess of fat, too. Fish is the perfect solution to that problem – it’s pretty much all lean protein. All fish is good, but tuna and salmon are particularly excellent. You also get a perfect dose of omega-3s, a great supplement that helps aid digestion and overall body function. But if you are buying tinned fish, remember to go for fish canned in water (not oil).

#5. Avocados

Studies have linked regular consumption of avocado to lower waist circumference and reduced Body Mass Index (BMI). In plain English, that means they help to burn belly fat…and we have scientific proof to back the claim!

This is because like nuts, avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fats that satisfy your fat craving and reduce the risk of you stuffing yourself with bad-fat foods. They are not only filling, but heart-healthy, too. So go out and buy some today!

#6. Citrus Fruits

All citrus fruits are rich in potassium, which helps to reduce bloat. More importantly, citrus fruits have plenty of antioxidants which fight inflammation – one of the key causes of belly-fat storage.

Citrus fruits also have a high water content, to help stay properly hydrated. Add in lots of healthy minerals and vitamins – especially the essential Vitamin C – and you have a super-healthy food all round.

#7. Orange Veggies

Ever wondered why  carrots are so orange? It’s because they are packed with beta-carotene, which also explains why sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkins have a definite orange shading. This is great news for you because one study found people whose diets contained the most beta-carotene had the smallest waists and the least belly fat. Just what we want!

Of course, there are many other reasons to eat these great veggies. Because they are rich in minerals and full of fiber, they keep your body in great shape, ready to burn fat faster.

Start Busting Fat Today

Of course, the basis of any fat-loss program is a sensible diet and exercise plan that helps you burn more calories than you consume. But the seven foods listed here can help you accelerate your progress and achieve the results you want more easily.

So next time you go to the supermarket, make sure these super-healthy, belly-fat busting wonder-foods are on your shopping list. Build them into your meal plans and start cutting even the most stubborn belly fat down to size.