The 5 Best Raw Foods That May Help You Get a Flat Belly
You’ve probably already heard about the benefits of a raw foods diet to help trim your figure, lose weight, and get a flat belly. But when we talk about foods being “raw”, we don’t mean you need to start eating uncooked meats or fish. Don’t let that word scare you off!
According to nutritionists, increasing your daily intake of raw fruits and vegetables will help you not only burn more fat, but also help reduce your risk of numerous diseases and even may slow down the aging process. We’re sure that the information in today’s article will be of interest to you.
The many benefits of eating raw foods
There are lots of foods out there that have more benefits when eaten raw than when they’re cooked. Raw foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes that help you feel more satisfied.Keep in mind that it’s important to know where your raw fruits and vegetables come from. The less chemicals and pesticides they’ve come into contact with during cultivation, the better. Thus, don’t think twice about choosing organic produce over other, less-natural products.
How can raw foods benefit you?
Say goodbye to abdominal bloating
If you normally experience indigestion or gas after eating, eating five raw pieces of fruits and vegetables a day may help fight these annoying problems.
Chew slower, and your food will reach the stomach better. This will also help activate enzymes that improve digestion and help absorb nutrients. And don’t forget that eating raw foods is the best way to avoid constipation.
You’ll feel more satisfied
Eating raw foods not only helps you absorb more nutrients. They also help trigger neurotransmitters in the brain that let the body know that you’re full. They even help raise serotonin levels, which improves your mood.
May help slow down the aging process
Do you really want to avoid those pesky wrinkles? Well, it’s not that raw foods help avoid them forever, but they may delay their appearance thanks to their high antioxidant contents.
According to a study about the aging process at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Dr. Jean Mayer concluded that eating raw fruits and vegetables every day gives you more antioxidants that help fight brain aging and may reduce your risk of other degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Balance between sodium and potassium
Did you know that eating raw vegetables is a great way to get potassium? Certain fruits and vegetables are excellent for fighting excess sodium in the body and restoring the balance that’s necessary for good health.
Ideal for weight loss
People who include certain raw foods in their daily diet may lose weight faster. This technique is highly effective because it helps them feel satisfied and nourished by foods that are low in calories and fats.
But remember that following this kind of diet requires a lot of willpower. You need to eat five servings of raw fruits and vegetables throughout the day, in addition to seeds and sprouts.
Combining them with other foods will give you the protein you need and may help you achieve that flat belly you want.
What are the best raw foods that may help you get a flat belly?
Broccoli and watercress
You already know how healthy broccoli and watercress are. We’ve talked about it many times in our blog. But did you know that it’s best if you eat them raw? When these two vegetables are cooked, they lose the enzymes that may reduce your risk of cancer and help improve digestion.To enjoy them raw, just chop them into very small pieces and combine them with sprouts and other foods.
Red pepper
This fat-free food may help speed up your metabolism. Red bell peppers are healthier if you consume them raw. They help fight constipation and are more easily digested raw. Also, they provide you with more vitamins and antioxidants. Add thin slices of red peppers to your salads.Onion
Do you like onions? They add a nice flavor to your recipes, that unique taste that complements so many things. But you should know that when you cook onions, you may lose up to 60% of the healthy minerals and antioxidants they provide.Read more here: 8 Little-known Benefits of Onions
Eating them raw may help speed up your metabolism and, in addition to that, you’ll benefit from a substance known as glucoquinine, which may help lower blood sugar levels. It’s fantastic!
Green apple
Skip the jams and natural juices. It’s best to eat raw green apples in the morning, including the peel. This may help you burn more fat and get that flat stomach you’ve always wanted.Garlic
When you incorporate a lot of rice or meats in your diet, you usually have plenty of garlic, as well. It adds flavor and spice.But if you eat garlic raw, you gain a lot more benefits. This is because when you cook garlic you lose the allicin content. This component helps detox the body. Why not start your morning off with a glass of water and a raw garlic clove instead?
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Acrylamide in food and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute website. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/acrylamide-in-food. Updated July 29, 2008.
- H. Raw Food Studies – Hippocrates Health Institute [Internet]. Hippocrates Health Institute. 2018. https://hippocratesinst.org/raw-food-studies
- “The effect of Heat Treatment on the Nutritive Value of Milk for the Young Calf: The Effect of Ultra-High Temperature Treatment and of Pasteurization”, British Medical Journal (Vol. 14, No. 10), 1960