Introduction
Snacking is a common habit for many people, but it can have a negative impact on your health if you’re not careful. Eating too much between meals can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection. A dietitian can help you understand the impact of snacking on your health and provide tips to help you make healthier choices. In this article, we’ll discuss how snacking habits can increase your belly fat and provide dietitian-approved tips to help you make healthier snacking choices.
Snacking Habits Increasing Your Belly Fat, Dietitian Reveals
Snacking can be a great way to satisfy hunger between meals, but it can also be a major contributor to belly fat if you’re not careful. According to a dietitian, certain snacking habits can lead to an increase in belly fat, and it’s important to be aware of them.
One of the most common snacking habits that can lead to an increase in belly fat is eating too many processed snacks. Processed snacks are often high in calories, fat, and sugar, and can quickly add up if you’re not careful. Instead, opt for healthier snacks like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Another snacking habit that can lead to an increase in belly fat is eating too many sugary snacks. Sugary snacks like candy, cookies, and cakes are high in calories and can quickly add up. Instead, opt for healthier snacks like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Finally, snacking too often can also lead to an increase in belly fat. Eating too often can cause your body to store more fat, so it’s important to limit your snacking to two or three times a day. Additionally, try to make sure that your snacks are healthy and nutrient-dense.
By being aware of these snacking habits, you can help reduce your risk of belly fat and maintain a healthy weight. Eating healthy snacks and limiting your snacking to two or three times a day can help you stay on track and reach your health goals.
If you’re a snacker, you know how difficult it is to give up your beloved sweet and savory bites throughout the day. But you may be surprised to learn that there are some snacking habits that secretly increase your belly fat. You heard that right! We chatted with Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, an award-winning registered dietitian, book author, and recipe developer, who calls out these sneaky little culprits in their tracks so you can snack smarter and healthier moving forward.
Some studies show that your daily snacking habit could result in more gradual weight loss or weight gain, Healthline reports. One particular study published in the Journal of Hepatology had 36 lean males bump up the number of calories consumed by 40%. They did this by snacking in between larger meals. The results? These men had a substantial jump in both liver and belly fat.
Carrying around too much abdominal fat is associated with a significant amount of health risks, and it could be even more dangerous for women compared to men, according to Harvard Health Publishing. An increased amount of visceral fat encompassing your organs could lead to diabetes and put your cardiovascular health at high risk. That’s why it’s imperative to stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and ensure you’re making just the right healthy choices when it comes to eating. Manaker walks us through the snacking habits that secretly increase your belly fat.
Related: Eat These Fruits To Get Rid of Abdominal Fat, Expert Says
What are the sneaky snacking habits that increase belly fat?
First and foremost, snacking on candy that’s jam-packed with sugar is a major no-no and simply gives your body empty calories. Candy is also linked to high blood sugar. Consuming too many calories—from candy, for example—without having any fiber, healthy fats, or protein to keep you full can lead to accumulating belly fat, Manaker explains.
This leads us to our next point: You aren’t consuming healthy fats or protein with your snacks. The satiated feeling you get after enjoying a meal or a snack can stop you from overeating. “And two macros—healthy fats and protein—can help promote satiety,” Manaker tells us. So pair a high-carb snack with a nut butter, which is a stellar source of healthy fats and protein. This combo will be incredibly satisfying, ultimately helping you decrease abdominal fat.
Next up, add sugary sodas to your “stay far away from” list pronto. “Even if you are eating healthy and balanced snacks, if you are washing it down with a sugary soda, you may experience trouble reducing your belly fat,” Manaker says, adding, “Sugary soda can contribute to consuming excessive calories without even realizing it.”
Last but not least, you aren’t enjoying snacks that have probiotics. “Your gut health can impact your belly fat and weight, and not consuming enough foods with probiotics, like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi can have a negative impact on that aspect of your health,” Manaker explains.
Need some smark snacking inspiration to ward off belly fat? We have you covered. Manaker suggests enjoying fresh veggies with a healthy dip like nut butter or your favorite hummus. “The veggies are typically lower in calories and carbs, and the dips provide satiating macros to help combat belly fat,” she says.
Alexa Mellardo