Eating While Distracted:
Paying attention to your meals and savoring the flavors can prevent overeating. Being mindful while eating helps you notice your food, chew with care, and stay present, which can benefit your waistline.
Eating Too Fast:
It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that your stomach is full. Eating too quickly can lead to consuming more calories than needed, while slow eaters tend to take in fewer calories and avoid extra pounds.
Getting Poor Sleep:
Adults under 40 who sleep less than 5 hours a night tend to gain more belly fat compared to those who get adequate sleep. However, sleeping more than 8 hours a night can also lead to increased belly fat.
Eating Late:
Eating earlier in the evening allows your digestive system more time to burn off your meal. Consuming calories later in the evening provides fewer hours for your body to use them up.
Eating White Bread:
Refined grains in white bread and other processed foods are digested quickly, raising blood sugar levels and potentially leading to weight gain over time. Choosing whole-grain carbs is a healthier option.
Drinking Diet Soda:
Switching from full-sugar soda to diet soda may not help with weight management. Aspartame, an artificial sweetener in many diet sodas, can actually increase belly fat.
Skipping Meals:
Skipping breakfast makes you 4½ times more likely to be obese. Missing meals slows down your metabolism, increasing the likelihood of overeating later when you become hungry.
Eating Low-Fat or Fat-Free Food:
While it's important to monitor fat intake, foods labeled as "low-fat" or "fat-free" can be higher in carbs. High-carb foods can raise triglycerides, increase insulin sensitivity, and add fat to your midsection.