Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but as you age, hormonal changes contribute to an increase in belly fat in both men and women.
Left unchecked, the fat cells that sit around the body’s midsection could pave the way towards unwanted health complications.
Although there is a host of ways to go about tackling belly fat, there is limited evidence to support which is best.
Many people believe cutting out carbohydrates guarantees fat loss. One expert has stressed that not all carbohydrates are created equal, however, as vegetables, fruits and pulses can prove vital for weight loss.
Body fat is more likely to shift towards the abdominal region as we age
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Laura Southern, nutritional therapist at London Gynaecology, told GB News: “When it comes to cutting out carbs - this is one I see from my patients again and again.
“Carbohydrates are nourishing and healthy-filled foods and they support our microbiomes, hormones, mood, energy and satiety.
“But carbs are a wide food group which includes all plant-based foods to sweets and chocolates.”
Refined carbohydrates are the main culprits that hinder weight loss efforts and should be eliminated from the diet entirely if fat shedding is a priority.
The primary problem with these food sources is that they provide empty calories with no added health benefits.
“If your diet is heavy in simple, refined carbs (pastries, biscuits, white bread, white paste, sweets etc) then cutting carbs will be supportive to weight loss to overall health,” Laura explained.
“Cutting out carbs from vegetables, pulses, and fruit is not something I usually recommend though. We might look at placements of the carbs, and definitely look at overall balance though.
“There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to weight loss. When I’m supporting patients with weight loss it’s a very personalised and tailored approach that takes into account their health, metabolism, digestion and lifestyle.
Other fad diets to disregard if long-term weight loss is the goal include juice cleanses and extreme calorie restriction, according to Laura.
“I always try and advise my patients to stay away from fad diets, juice cleanses and extreme calorie restriction as these can lead to disordered eating and yo-yo dieting. Plus, they don’t work," claimed the expert.
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Belly fat leads to cardiovascular complications when left unchecked
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“It’s estimated that 95 per cent of people who embark on a diet regain the weight more between 1-5 years later."
It comes as experts have stressed the importance of hydration to support healthy weight loss.
They explained that without water, the body cannot metabolise stored fat. That is why weight gain can be a sign of dehydration.
Naheed Ali, MD, PhD, physician and nutritionist writing on behalf of Sweat Block, told GB News that coffee and water are potent aids in weight loss.
