Foods that can Sabotage Your Six Pack
You’ve probably heard the saying “Abs are made in the kitchen” and I like to add on to that by saying that abs can disappear in the kitchen too! If you’re like most people who work out, you might spend endless hours at the gym taking classes, ramping up your cardio sessions and still feeling like that six-pack just won’t pop through. Here you will discover some foods that may be hindering your progress towards getting the results you want.
1. Alcohol
In any amount, alcohol can cause a big halt in your progress. Not only is alcohol full of empty calories, it is filled with carbohydrates and sugar. Towards the end of this article I will explain why some athletes need carbohydrates in the form of sugar for endurance activities. But it holds true that even for endurance athletes, alcohol is not the best option.
On most occasions, alcohol is also served when there are unhealthy food choices around. You would be more likely to also select one of those unhealthy foods when you have some alcohol in your system.
2. Salt
A lot of diet foods on the market contain massive amounts of sodium to help them taste better. Salt causes water retention and while it doesn’t interfere with fat loss it can interfere with weight and the appearance of your muscles. If you want a really healthy option for flavoring your foods, try Himalayan Salt. The larger crystals will help you consume less while still giving you a flavorful taste.
3. Beans
While beans are healthy they can also lead to bloating. The effect on your body is similar to lactose intolerance because of the undigested carbohydrates. Keep your bean intake to a minimum and choose only fresh beans as processed beans have a high salt and sugar content.
4. Dairy
Even if you choose low fat dairy products there is still the possibility that you will be consuming a product that includes antibiotics or hormones. These can change your body’s chemistry and cause you to store more fat. Some good alternatives to try include rice milk, rice cheese, almond milk or veggie cheese.
5. Nut Butters
Nuts and nut butters contain essential good fats for losing weight, gaining lean muscle, and overall health. However, many commercial peanut butters may be high in saturated fat due to the oils and other ingredients that are included to give it that delicious taste. Avoid any nut butters that use palm oil as an ingredient and go for nut butters that are limited to nuts and sea salt as the ingredients. Some healthy options to try include Teddie’s Organic Natural Peanut Butter, Justin’s Almond Butter, or Nuts ‘n More. Also be sure to keep the intake of your nut butter to a minimum. One to two tablespoons per day is considered to be a good serving.
6. Sugar
Sugar can result in fat accumulation because it causes an immediate spike in sugar levels in your blood. In this process, your liver will turn sugar into fat for storage. Unless you are an endurance athlete or extreme athlete you can just rely on the naturally occurring sugars that you get from fruits.
There is a lot of question surrounding the sports drinks that are on the market and the sugar content in them. There has been research regarding sports drinks and the sugar content surrounding them. Sugar is a carbohydrate and the body needs carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores in the muscles. If you are an athlete who works out for an hour or more you will need to replenish your glycogen by getting a combination of simple sugars such as fructose and glucose. But the general rule of thumb for those not participating in any intense workouts, you can forego those sports drinks and increase your chance of seeing those six pack abs.