8 Foods For a Flat Belly

Working on your six-pack? These flat-belly foods from Self will help get you there.

Ready for toned abs? Combine our 5 Minutes to Flat Abs workout with these slim-down foods from Self's Eat Like Me blogger, Sarah-Jane Bedwell, R.D., and you'll be on your way to a slender holiday season!

Nut and Nut Butters
Thinkstock

Nut and Nut Butters

Research shows that dieters who ate foods containing monounsaturated fats (like nuts and nut butters) lost more belly fat than those who ate the same number of calories with less of the fats. No matter what your favorite nut or nut butter is, it's a great flat-belly choice since they all contain these healthy fats!

The key is keeping your portions in check, so stick to 1/4 cup for nuts and a tablespoon for nut butters.

Jennifer Aniston's Flat-Abs Yoga Moves

Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Thinkstock

Nonfat Greek Yogurt

Not only is Greek yogurt higher in filling protein than regular yogurt, but it also contains good bacteria (probiotics) that may reduce the bad bacteria in the intestines responsible for belly bloating.

A 6 oz serving is ideal, and you can add your favorite fruit, nuts, or whole-grain cereal for added flavor and texture.

8 Grab-and-Go Breakfast Ideas

Mushrooms
Thinkstock

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the only natural plant source of Vitamin D. Insufficient levels of Vitamin D have been linked to higher levels of belly fat. Look for mushrooms that are labeled as being exposed to ultraviolet light, as those will have even higher levels of vitamin D.

Mushrooms add a great meaty texture to everything from a salad to a pasta dish!

4 Healthy Ways to Get Vitamin D

Low-Fat Chocolate Milk
Thinkstock

Low-Fat Chocolate Milk

My go-to post-workout snack always involves a cup of low-fat chocolate milk. It has the perfect ratio of carbs to protein to help me refuel after my workout so I gain muscle and lose fat.

Keep your serving to 8 oz and make sure you get the low-fat (1% milk fat) version and not the reduced-fat (2% milk fat) version to keep the saturated fat at bay.

Best Pre- and Post-Workout Foods

Air-Popped Popcorn
Thinkstock

Air-Popped Popcorn

Popcorn is a great flat-belly snack as long as you choose the air-popped version — you can eat a 3-cup portion for only 100 calories! Not only that, but popcorn is also a whole grain, and studies show that people who eat whole grains have less belly fat than those who eat refined grains.

Self Healthy Food Awards 2012: Best Supermarket Popcorn

Beans
Thinkstock

Beans

Beans are a great belly-flattening food because research shows that bean-eaters weigh less and have slimmer waistlines. Perhaps this is because beans are relatively low in calories but high in filling fiber!

If you are afraid that the fiber in beans will cause gas and bloating, just be sure to increase the amount of beans you eat gradually and to drink plenty of water to avoid those issues.

5 Hearty and Healthy Bean Recipes

Quinoa
Thinkstock

Quinoa

Quinoa is a whole grain like popcorn, which makes it a great tummy trimmer. As an added bonus, quinoa is the only grain that is also a complete protein, and protein helps us feel fuller longer, which can help you reach your flat-belly goals sooner!

Enjoy it hot with fruit as a breakfast option or cold as a part of a salad for lunch or dinner.

The Truth About Protein and Weight Loss

Fruits and Veggies
Thinkstock

Fruits and Veggies

All fruits and veggies are great flat-belly foods as most of them are 80-90% water. This means they are high in nutrients, but low in calories. Plus, the fiber they contain helps you feel fuller longer, so you'll lose fat without feeling hungry all the time!

My favorites for the summer include watermelon, tomatoes, and leafy greens.

6 Sweet Fruit-For-Supper Recipes