Abdominal fat is not just unsightly, but it can also be extremely hard to get rid of. Besides limiting your wardrobe choices, abdominal fat can have serious implications on your health. It is important to note that there are two types of fat, these are namely subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the fat that is visible — it remains just beneath your skin and makes you appear fat. It’s typically found on your buttocks, thighs and upper arms, at its worst, it is cosmetically challenging. The other type of fat is called visceral fat, which is noted for being dangerous to your health. This fat has a habit of accumulating around abdominal organs, besides being metabolically active it is associated with a number of serious diseases including cancer, dementia and heart disease. There is a common misconception that people who are overweight or obese are more likely to face health hazards, but nothing can be further from the truth. Even people with normal weight can have harmful amounts of hidden fat lining the abdominal wall.
Fortunately, it’s not impossible to fight abdominal fat. Eating the right food will go a long way in keeping you trim and healthy. Here are some simple recipes that you can cook at home to fight that flab!
Beef and Pumpkin Stir Fry
This low-carb recipe provides you with ample of proteins and fibre that will keep you sated until your next meal. All you need for this recipe are a tablespoon of coconut oil, two cups of pumpkin peeled and cubed, a tablespoon of red curry paste, 240 grams of lean beet, two cups of broccoli, ½ red onion (thinly sliced), and a tablespoon of fish sauce. Start by heating a non-stick pan over medium heat before adding coconut oil (half). Then cook the cubes of pumpkin for approximately five minutes before setting them aside. Do make sure that the pumpkin cubes are tender but not too soft and mushy. Once that is done, add the curry paste to the empty pan and cook it for a minute or so, add sliced beef and cook for an additional five minutes before adding the broccoli florets, cooked pumpkin cubes, red onion and fish sauce. You will need to cook for an additional four to five minutes to ensure that all the ingredients are fully cooked.
Soba Noodles With Salmon
This highly nutritious recipe combines the goodness of soba noodles and salmon. To get the most out of your food, ensure that you purchase or use soba noodles that are made from 100 percent buckwheat. Buckwheat has an impressive nutritional profile; it is a good source of manganese and thiamin. Additionally, it is also high in proteins and soluble fibre, which aids in fighting belly fat. In fact, studies show that people who consumed foods high in soluble fibre had less visceral (belly) fat. Additionally, salmon contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that are good for cardiovascular health. The recipe is pretty straightforward and simple. You will need 300g of salmon steak, 90g of soba noodles, 2 egg yolks, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 cup of baby spinach and some salt and pepper. You can start by preheating the oven to 180 degree Celsius. Ensure that the salmon is wrapped in a sheet of baking paper and placed on a baking tray before it’s baked for eight to 10 minutes. Once the salmon is well-cooked, remove it from the oven and start flaking the fish into small pieces. Then start cooking the noodles according to the instructions given. After that, you can start heating a non-stick frying pan over medium heat before adding the noodles (drained), lemon zest, egg yolk and lemon juice into the pan. Be sure to stir quickly to cook the egg yolk over the heat. This will allow the egg to combine with the noodles, enhancing the overall flavour of the dish. Once you feel satisfied with the consistency and blend of the ingredients, add the salmon and baby spinach. Season the dish with some salt and pepper once the spinach has wilted.
Chicken Macro Bowl
This dish is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that are great for your health. Much like the other recipes that you have seen in this article, this dish will leave you feeling satisfied for longer periods of time. Apart from that, it will also help you maintain a regular bowel movement, which in turn prevent less bloating. Additionally, the avocado in this recipe is filled with healthy fats and dietary fibre which lowers the risk of certain chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Prepare 350g of skinless chicken breast, ⅓ cup of uncooked quinoa, 100g of green beans, 100g of broccoli, ½ sliced avocado, 300g of peeled and cubed potatoes, a clove of minced garlic, a tablespoon of soy sauce, and a tablespoon of sesame oil. Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Then cook the quinoa as per the instructions on the packet. After that, you can start cooking the sweet potato; place it in a microwave safe container and cook the sweet potato in the microwave for two minutes on high, or until it is fully cooked. Next, you will have to marinate the chicken with garlic and soy sauce before placing it on the frying pan. Add the sesame oil into the pan and continue cooking the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked thoroughly, take it off the stove and leave it to rest. Since this recipe calls for more than one cooking method, you will need to steam the greens on either the stovetop or alternatively, placing it in the microwave until they turn crispy. Now that you are done cooking all of your ingredients, you can serve the chicken, veggies and quinoa together in a bowl.