Cooking is one of the most important factors when it comes to weight loss on the flat belly diet. Here are some cooking tips for anyone on this program.
The flat belly diet has fast become a popular weight loss program for people who are looking to lose belly fat and overall get a better looking body.
The Flat Belly Diet book claims that people can lose up to 15 pounds in only 32 days but some dieters still get confused on just what they can and can’t eat on the diet. To lose the most amount of weight possible and lose inches off the belly the weight loss diet should be followed exactly as pointed out in the book. For anyone who is having trouble with flat belly diet cooking, here are some great tips to keep in mind.
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The Basics of the Flat Belly Diet
Before someone really understands how to cook on this weight loss program, they need to understand what exactly this diet is. The weight loss book was written by Liz Vaccariello, who is the editor in chief of the healthy lifestyle magazine Prevention. The book outlines just how to eat to lose those stubborn inches off the stomach.
The basics of the diet seem to resemble that of a Mediterranean diet with an approximate 1,600 calorie a day intake. The diet focuses on real foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. Processed foods are not promoted in this diet.
The secret weapon behind the flat belly diet is monounsaturated fats or MUFAS, which help to make those stubborn belly fat cells disappear. Examples of foods that contain MUFAS are avocados, dark chocolate, olives, seeds, and oils like olive oil and sunflower oil. The diet recommends that one monounsaturated fat be consumed with every meal and snack to help target the belly fat.
Roasting Vegetables on the Flat Belly Diet
Just about any type of vegetable can be roasted. The easiest way to roast vegetables on this diet is to cut up the vegetables in bite size pieces, toss them with olive oil or canola oil and sprinkle a little bit of black pepper and kosher salt on them. Roast the vegetables in a shallow baking dish at 400 degrees for at least 30 minutes or until the vegetables have started turning brown.
The great thing about roasting vegetables is that the MUFA is included with the oil on the veggies and the dieter is not adding in any extra calories in the form of a sauce or gravy. Some people find that they prefer some vegetables like Brussels sprouts only when they are roasted since they lose their bitterness, while other foods like carrots become much richer in taste.
Stir Fry Cooking Tips – An Easy Meal for Weight Loss
Stir-frying is a great way to prepare meals on the flat belly diet. With a little bit of oil and lots of vegetables, beans and even lean protein like chicken, a dieter can have a perfect meal with the MUFA included. A stir-fry is easy to make but does require some preparation. The great thing about these meals is that they can be made according to the dieter’s personal tastes.
Slice vegetables up into bite size pieces and toss them in a sauté pan with heated oil. Cook the vegetables until they are tender and add the lean meat into the dish. This can also be a strictly vegetarian meal with just vegetables and beans. Fresh herbs like ginger or sesame seeds can be used to flavor the stir fry rather than adding calories and sodium with processed sauces.
Flat Belly Diet Cooking Tips for a Slow Cooker
A person who is on the flat belly diet may find that the slow cooker becomes her best friend. Cooking with a slow cooker not only offers a person convenience but a lot of flavor as well. The slow cooking time makes lean meats much juicer and tastier as well as helps the spices and herbs in the dish to infuse into the meal.
Before cooking with a slow cooker, be sure to read the specific instructions for that model. Not every slow cooker is the same and each will have varying cooking times. Slow cookers are another great way to add flavor to dishes without having to add fat. Simple herbs and spices added to lean proteins, beans, and vegetables can add more flavor than any type of fat-laden sauce.
This diet almost solely focuses on the way that a person eats for weight loss. The Flat Belly Diet does promote exercise but states it is not needed. This is why it is so important that any dieter attempting to lose weight on the flat belly diet learns how to cook properly and learns some simple cooking techniques to make life a little easier.
