8 Foods To Avoid To Have Sculpted Abs
Having sculpted abs is one of the main goals of those who dedicate part of their days to physical activity.
Strengthening the muscles, eliminating fat and sculpting this area of the body is the result of constant work, accompanied by multiple efforts and discipline.
While most of the work has to focus on exercises, it is equally vital to correct some of your dietary habits that affect your results.
To have sculpted abdominals it is necessary to limit the intake of some foods as much as possible, which, due to their composition, increase inflammation and the tendency to accumulate fat.
Below we reveal the main 8, so you can replace them with healthier options.
Foods to avoid for sculpted abs
1. Fried food
Fried foods are rich in saturated fats which, far from being good, can promote the development of metabolic problems.
Their intake increases the accumulation of calories and, in the long run, causes overweight, diabetes and other health problems.
This problem is even greater when fried foods are breaded with breadcrumbs or flour.
2. Industrial sauces
Industrial-sourced sauces and dressings are high in saturated fat, calories, and added chemicals that prevent weight loss.
Their flavor is inviting and, although they are great to accompany different dishes, they can cause anxiety problems and overweight.
Fortunately, there are recipes that use organic ingredients and that serve to enrich your dishes without causing health problems. These can be taken two or three times a week, in moderate portions.
3. Sausages
Although they are a significant source of protein for many people, sausages are harmful to health.
Behind their freshness and delicious flavor lies a wide variety of added chemicals that cause metabolic problems in the long run.
- Their regular intake is related to weight gain, diabetes and some diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- The high amounts of sodium and fat they contain cause an imbalance in the inflammatory processes of the body causing water retention and abdominal swelling.
4. Cookies
Cookies can be very deceptive, especially when they are passed off as “low in calories” or “light”.
While we cannot deny that they are ideal for quenching hunger in times of anxiety, their habitual consumption can be an obstacle to obtaining sculpted abs.
This is because they are made with flours, sugars and other substances rich in calories, which prevent them from fighting the accumulation of fat.
5. Bread and cakes
Most breads, cakes and baked goods are made with refined flours that make digestive processes difficult and increase inflammation.
While they are delicious and quickly quench hunger, consuming them regularly prevents you from showing off a flat and toned abdomen.
This is not just because they swell the belly. Due to their high fat content, in fact, they favor the formation of rolls of fat in the hips and surrounding areas.
6. Sweets and candies
Taking small doses of sweets is pleasant and, in fact, brings an extra energy to the body.
The problem occurs when an addictive effect occurs in the brain which, in addition to inducing excess eating, increases the risk of suffering from diabetes and metabolic problems.
Most candies are made with refined sugars and, as these are rapidly absorbed, they increase blood sugar levels and a tendency to overweight.
7. Salty foods
Excessive consumption of salt-rich foods is risky for health and body weight.
- First, sodium increases the presence of fluid in the tissues and causes dangerous inflammatory reactions.
- In turn, the risk of suffering from high blood pressure and kidney problems increases.
- As for the abdomen, it prevents you from showing it toned and strong, since, in addition to increasing swelling, more fat accumulates.
8. Fizzy drinks
All fizzy drinks, even the “light” or “zero” ones, contain chemicals and artificial sugars that directly affect body weight.
Although many don’t know it, these drinks raise blood sugar levels, make metabolic activity difficult and increase abdominal fat.
The problem worsens when these drinks are carbonated, as they cause intestinal difficulties and form air and inflammation in the stomach.
Do you abuse one or more of these foods? If so, start excluding them from your diet so they don’t interfere with your efforts to sculpt the abdomen.
Instead, increase your intake of fruits, grains and high-quality protein sources which, when absorbed, help preserve muscle mass and allow you to have sculpted abs.
