Challenging major misconceptions about belly fat

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

There are plenty of tips promising to get rid of that pesky belly fat, and while they sound great in theory, many are just pure myths. It takes more to get flat abs, and miracle fixes are just too good to be true.   Click through the following gallery for belly fat myths that need to get debunked.

Myth: small meals are the way to go

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Smaller meals won't necessarily help melt off belly fat. You can more effectively increase your metabolism by eating three balanced meals and one snack per day. You won't risk overeating, and it will help you stay more satisfied for longer.

Myth: ab exercises are all you need

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

No amount of crunches will give you abs if you have layers of fat over your belly. Exercise will only focus on developing the muscles. You must first focus on a clean and balanced diet that will help in fat loss around the abdominal muscles.

Myth: drinking green tea melts fat

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Drinking green tea is great, but while studies have shown that drinking around three cups of it a day may help increase your metabolism, it's not enough to melt off belly fat.

Food

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Food

Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Many people assume that gluten-free is code for healthy. So when people choose processed, refined gluten-free products, they will most likely gain belly fat. It's better to choose whole grain, gluten-containing complex carbohydrates instead.

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Food

Myth: seed oils are always healthy

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Seed oils are not automatically healthy. Processed and industrial seed oil like corn and soybean oil can negatively affect the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats. This can lead to chronic inflammation that can make weight loss difficult. Opt for healthy oils like flaxseed oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and hemp seed oil.

Myth: belly fat protects your bones

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Scientists used to think overweight people had stronger skeletons and were protected against bone loss as they aged. However, the latest research show that abdominal fat is also bad for your bones.

Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Sleeping well through the night, without a restless mind or randomly waking up, is key to making sure you wake up refreshed and less stressed, but it won't help with weight loss.

Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Caffeine can be a great thing when consumed in moderation. But when overconsumed, it can wear you out and confuse your cortisol production, which tells your body to hang onto fat.

Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Consuming a good amount of healthy fats is important for your health, and also for weight loss. Healthy fats like olive oil and avocado oil promote longevity, glowing skin, hair and nail growth, and fight against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Food

Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

BMI is useful in helping someone understand that they are overweight or obese. But having fat in the belly region is more detrimental to your health than being slightly overweight without much belly fat.

Myth: cinnamon burns calories

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

It's a common myth that consuming a teaspoon of ground cinnamon every day helps you lose fat quickly, but in reality it's not connected to calorie burning.

Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

It doesn't matter the time: food is food. More important than the time of day is the quality and quantity of the food you consume.

Myth: nuts are fattening

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Unfortunately, nuts have gotten a bad reputation for their total fat content. But science suggests that what's important for our health is the quality of fat, and not quantity.

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

Food

Myth: lemon water melts fat

Myth: small meals are the way to go, Myth: ab exercises are all you need, Myth: drinking green tea melts fat, Myth: gluten-free options help blast belly fat, Myth: seed oils are always healthy, Myth: belly fat protects your bones, Myth: eight hours of sleep helps with weight loss, Myth: caffeine boosts weight loss, Myth: avoiding fatty foods will shrink your belly fat, Myth: belly fat doesn't matter if your BMI is normal, Myth: cinnamon burns calories, Myth: the time you eat can make a big difference, Myth: nuts are fattening, Myth: lemon water melts fat

While it's certainly a healthy way to start your morning, drinking lemon water won't melt away any belly fat. It just helps with hydration and suppressing appetite.

Post Related