Top 5 Flat-Belly Foods

Top 5 Foods for a Flat Belly

Dreaming of a flat stomach without hitting the gym? The good news is your dream may not be too far away. Whether you’re hoping to blitz away a muffin top or are battling with bloating, your diet is integral to shaping up this problem area. Start eating your way to a trimmer waistline with these top 5 foods for a flat stomach.

Flax seeds

Flax seeds (often referred to as linseeds) are nutritious seeds packed with monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) - which are actually a lot more diet-friendly than they sound. Monounsaturated fats, unlike saturated fats (the "bad" fats found in junk food), not only lower cholesterol levels but they can also help to reduce body fat. Liz Vaccariello, author of The Flat Belly Diet, advocates these healthy fats for those wanting to specifically target belly fat.

Not only will these super seeds tackle love handles, but they are great for those suffering from bloating. Flax seeds provide high levels of fibre and can help to keep the digestive system running smoothly, helping to banish bloating, constipation and other digestive problems. Try adding a tablespoon of freshly ground flax seeds to your morning cereal, lunchtime salad, or homemade smoothie to start enjoying their belly-flattening benefits.

Berries

Blackberries, blueberries, acai berries... what do these fruits have in common? They could all help you to squeeze back into your skinny jeans. Studies have suggested that those wanting to lose their belly fat should opt for fruit that is blue or red in colour (such as cherries, red grapes and many types of berries). In fact, it is the chemicals that are responsible for giving these fruits their colour (anthocyanins) that, according to recent research, also burn abdominal fat.

Yoghurt

Not only is yoghurt low in fat and calories, so good as a weight loss food, but many yoghurts also contain active cultures (probiotics) which promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut and help with digestion, excess gas and bloating. Yoghurt is luckily easy to fit into any diet plan as part of a meal or a snack between meals. You could also try combining natural yoghurt, berries and flax seeds in a morning smoothie or bowl of cereal, getting you off to a great tummy-trimming start before you even leave the house.

Whole grains

Whole grains are great for weight management and shedding those excess pounds. Not only are they a low-fat source of slow-release energy but, due to their high levels of fibre, they will help to regulate the digestive system and also keep you feeling fuller for longer. Eating whole grains also helps to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and insulin in the body, both of which encourage fat to be stored around the belly.

Many people, however, instinctively opt for wheat as their primary source of whole grains, which is often not the best choice. Not only is wheat difficult to digest - which can cause bloating in some - but it is better to eat grains in their natural form rather than as a processed flour. Good alternatives to try are brown rice, oats, buckwheat and spelt. Quinoa - although technically a seed - is also a nutritious alternative that can be used in the place of grains such as pasta and couscous.

Water

While it's not technically a food, a lack of water in your diet could be the one thing still standing in your way of a flat stomach. Bloating is something that affects many women and the problem is often worsened - or even instigated - by a lack of fluids in the system. Drinking water will help to flush toxins out of the system, curb hunger, improve the digestive system and reduce fluid retention, all of which will leave your stomach looking flatter.

If you are aiming for a flat belly, it is important to drink a minimum of eight glasses of liquids a day. Although this does not have to be water, it is best to go for liquids that are still (fizzy drinks can cause bloating) and low in calories. If you don't fancy plain water, a good alternative is green tea - which is also rumoured to have fat burning benefits - or fennel, dandelion or peppermint teas, all of which can combat bloating.

What Your Facebook Friends Say About You

What Do Your Facebook Friends Say About You

Facebook gets more crap than every cheating politician, relapsed rock star, and Nickelback song combined. It leads to cheating. It distracts you at work. It killed your dog. The list goes on. But now, researchers at University College London have found something good about Zuckerberg’s social phenomenon: Your Facebook can tell you a lot about yourself—specifically, how well you’ll do at work and with women. When college students were given brain scans, researchers found that the amount of gray matter in regions responsible for processing social signs—such as body language and reading other people’s intentions—gradually increased as the number of Facebook friends increased, but there was no such association with real-life friends.

Researchers believe people with more gray matter are friendlier and more socially in-tune, which means they have the ability to make friends and influence people more easily. “On Facebook, we maintain social connections with people we aren’t very close with—like those we’ve met once at a party,” says Ryota Kanai, Ph.D. and researcher at University College London. “Simple things such as meeting new people or feeling comfortable with strangers may be more relevant for online social network size.”

Translation: The Facebook elite are already socially savvy. If you’re not swimming in Facebook friends, take it as a hint that your people skills could use an upgrade. Here are the seven habits that socially savvy men use to woo women, impress at work, and make more friends (both in person and online).

Dress to Impress

On a job interview or first date, you’re being evaluated before you even open your mouth. Look confident—even if you’re more nervous than a virgin in a brothel—with standout accessories. Try an unconventional tie from David Hart or cufflinks with personality.

Network

Even if you’re not the most social guy at the party, you can land a new job with a little thing called the Internet. Upgrade your LinkedIn profile and have recruiters find you.

Just make sure to use search-friendly terms, as Nicole Williams, connection director at LinkedIn and the author of Earn What You’re Worth told us in Find a New Job—Without Applying. (Think: “Director of Digital Media” instead of “Web Guru.”)

Wear Red

Women are more attracted to men who wear red—most likely because of its association with power, according to a University of Rochester study. Still, subtlety is best. Opt for a simple red button-up on your next date.

Mimic People

“We inherently trust people who are like us,” says Marc Salem, Men’s Health contributor, who has a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. If you want to be on your boss’s—or wife’s—good side, emphasize the things you have in common. A study in the Journal of Evolutionary Psychology found that women were attracted to guys with a self-deprecating sense of humor. Don’t overdo it, though—no one wants a guy with low-self esteem. Making a joke when you drop something will do the trick.

Call Her

If she gave you her number, call her. And no, dialing her digits a week later doesn’t make you look cool, it makes you look scared.

Be Persuasive

Questions can be persuasive, according to Canadian research. Ask questions that begin with the word “if.” People process the information as if the “if” isn’t there, meaning they accept that information as fact. Example: “If I were to land this promotion…”