Enjoy Summer’s Bounty for a Flatter Belly

Summer means getting rid of the extra layers of clothing that hides our bodies in the winter. It’s when the shorts and tees, bathing suits and yoga wear come out. Along with this is the hope that our belly is are flat. If you are looking to flatten your belly eating the right nutrients and exercise.There are several different foods that can help flatten your belly. Among them are the non-starchy vegetables that also help lower your carb intake. Here are some of the top vegetables that are abundant in the summer. Mushrooms are a low carb vegetable. This low fat, low calorie superfood is packed with vitamins and minerals. The great thing about mushrooms is how easy they are to incorporate in your meals. Replace your hamburger with a portabella mushroom for a vegetable protein, for example.

Bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C, necessary for energy for burning fat. Add bell peppers of different colors to your salads to add crunch, use for snacks with a ranch or hummus dip or cut up into chunks for kebobs on the grill. Cucumbers are packed with nutrients like vitamin K, potassium, B1 and vitamin C all good for belly flattening needs. Low in calories and fat, cucumbers are easy to add to your diet. Enjoy them with cream cheese, make a cucumber salad with sour cream and dill or use them add a crunch to salads. The heat from chili peppers, the capsaicin, boosts your metabolism, helping you burn more calories including your midsection. Chili peppers add flavor to dishes without adding seasonings that might contain sodium. Add them to enchiladas, taco meat, pasta dishes or soups.

Broccoli is one of those super healthy vegetables that most people can eat. It’s low in calories and fat. It has lots of nutrients and contains fiber to help burn that belly fat. It’s easy to digest and can help increase your metabolism. Add chopped broccoli to scrambled eggs, mix in your mac and cheese or steam it for a broccoli salad. Artichokes are ideal for burning belly fat thanks to the good bacteria in them. They are prebiotics that help feed the probiotics in your belly, boosting your metabolism. Serve them with a dip like hummus or guacamole or have artichoke hearts in your salad. Almost everyone likes munching on carrots. These little wonders have a mild sweet flavor. Filled with nutrients like vitamin C, beta carotene and fiber they benefit your vision, your brain function, improve digestion and help you lose weight. Add them to salads, chopped in veggie soup, or steamed with honey. Take advantage of what summer’s bounty has to offer in the way of foods good for your midsection. Filling up on vegetables helps slim your belly as long as they are without added fats.