With summer on the way we’re looking at five easy ways to make sure your tummy is beach ready and bloat free.  

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Killer Carbs

It’s often hard to imagine a main meal that’s not anchored by carbs like potatoes, white rice etc, especially if that’s always been your family way of cooking. Simple veggie swaps here can make a big difference. In casseroles, stews and curries, replace potatoes and rice with chickpeas, which have a flowery potato-like taste but are a much healthier choice.

 

Season, Not Salt

Too much salt in your diet can lead to water retention, so watch your sodium intake. Remember that many processed foods are far too high in salt, and opt for herbs and spices instead of the salt when you’re cooking fresh food. Drink plenty of water too, to help flush out the excess.

 

It’s not all about the eating

If you want to look and feel good, just eating right is not enough. You need exercise to help dislodge any lumps and bumps you’re unhappy with, and the benefits of exercise for both your body and mind are well worth the 30 minutes a day you should spend on it. For a flat tummy, opt for a sat including crunches, leg raises, planks and push-ups every second day, and go for a brisk walk or jog on alternate days. 

 

Good fats are your friends 

Processed foods and those high in sugar increase the body’s production of insulin, which can stimulate fat in the stomach. On the other hand, good fats like those found in oily fish, nuts and avocadoes, for example, help the body break down bad fats, especially those that tend to lodge themselves around your middle. 

 

Ban the bottle 

It's called a beer belly for a reason, sadly. Over-consumption of alcohol is one of the quickest ways to give yourself some excess weight around the middle. There’s no need to give it up completely, but consider opting for clear liquors with diet mixers instead of calorie-laden wines or cocktails, and have at least three to four days a week where you avoid alcohol completely. It’ll make the ‘reward’ glass on a Saturday night taste all the sweeter!