Crunches Not Cutting It? Try These Foods to Help Your Abs Stand Out
Abs, abdominals, six-pack, and washboard stomach! Any way you choose to speak about it, we all want them. As much as big arms or ripped legs can be shown off, there is nothing that screams fit body quite like a nice set of abs. Now wishing for a nice set of abdominals is about the worst way to go about attaining them.
Genetics can play a role in how your stomach ultimately appears, but anyone can have a muscular stomach if they exercise and eat right. That burn we get when we start banging out crunches can be one of the most satisfying parts of a workout. I hate doing bench-press, it leaves me feeling fatigued, and usually a little light-headed. When I am doing crunches though, all I feel is that awesome burn which makes me wonder why my stomach does not look like a Spartan from 300 once I am finished.
I know I have a strong stomach, but something I have learned recently is how diet can really make the difference in your abs starting to stand out. If you are trying to develop your stomach muscles, certain foods can make them start to pop, and the wrong ones can certainly keep them covered up by a little bit of fat no matter how many crunches you do.
Almonds are a great snack because of their high fiber and protein contents. Fiber is key to cutting down on your belly fat, as is cutting down on saturated fats and other bad fats you get from eating fast food, potato chips, or other unhealthy foods. On top of being good for you they also will give you a natural energy boost upon consumption, which is always helpful for getting through the day.
Avocados are all the rage in fitness circles today. With their healthy fats, fiber, and myriad of vitamins they can help you take a major leap towards the abs you always wanted.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent way to pack your body with vitamins B and E. They curb hunger pangs that will usually surface is you are active and working out. However, this does not mean run out and buy a bag of salty sunflower seeds from the nearest gas station! I will usually go to a grocery store that sells bulk foods, like Sprouts for instance, and buy a big bag of unsalted sunflower seeds for very little money.
The root cause of the disappearance of your abs is visceral fat. When your body has too much fat available to it, through overeating, it begins to store it wherever it will fit. Most often this is in your belly region where it is easiest for your body to find the space. This can be extremely unhealthy if done to excess since your body will begin to surround major organs with fat deposits, leading you to be more susceptible to certain diseases like type 2 Diabetes or heart disease. Since you are already exercising you have already taken a major step to fighting this issue, but these foods can really help cut back the fat!