Nobody likes stubborn belly fat, yet certain foods make it harder to keep a slim waistline. Some popular choices—like sugary snacks and greasy fast food—can contribute to weight gain, particularly around the midsection. Here’s a closer look at some of the worst culprits and healthier alternatives.
Sugary Breakfast Cereals
Many breakfast cereals seem like a quick and easy morning option, but they’re often packed with refined sugars and lack fiber.
This combination causes blood sugar spikes, leading to energy crashes and increased cravings throughout the day. Over time, this can contribute to weight gain, especially around the belly. Swap sugary cereals for whole grain or high-protein options to stay fuller for longer.
White Bread
White bread may be a staple in many diets, but it’s not great for your waistline. Made from refined flour, it’s stripped of fiber and essential nutrients, making it less filling and more likely to cause overeating. It also triggers blood sugar spikes, which can lead to fat storage. Choosing whole grain or multigrain bread instead can help support a healthier metabolism.
Diet Sodas
Although they contain zero calories, diet sodas can still contribute to belly fat. Artificial sweeteners can confuse the body, leading to increased cravings for sugary and high-calorie foods.
Additionally, they may slow metabolism, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight, per Dr Batras. Opting for sparkling water with a splash of fresh juice is a better alternative.
Potato Chips
It’s easy to snack on a whole bag of chips without realizing it, but these crunchy treats are full of unhealthy fats, simple carbs, and excessive sodium. The combination makes them highly addictive and a major contributor to weight gain. Instead, try healthier snacks like air-popped popcorn, baked veggie chips, or raw nuts.
Fried Foods
Fried foods may be delicious, but they’re high in trans fats, excess calories, and inflammation-triggering compounds, according to Healthline. This makes them a key driver of belly fat. Choosing grilled, baked, or air-fried alternatives can help satisfy cravings without the extra fat.
Packaged Soups
Canned and instant soups may seem like an easy meal, but they often contain high levels of sodium and hidden sugars. Too much sodium can cause bloating and water retention, while excess sugar can lead to fat accumulation. Making homemade soup with fresh ingredients is a much healthier choice.
Pastries and Donuts
Flaky pastries and donuts may be tempting, but they’re loaded with refined sugar and unhealthy fats that cause blood sugar crashes and cravings. These quick-burning carbs encourage fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. A healthier alternative is whole grain toast with nut butter or fresh fruit for natural sweetness.
Ice Cream
A cold, creamy dessert like ice cream is hard to resist, but it’s typically high in sugar, saturated fats, and excess calories. These factors contribute to weight gain, especially when eaten regularly. For a lighter treat, try frozen yogurt with fresh fruit or a homemade smoothie bowl.
Ready-Made Pizza
Frozen and fast-food pizzas are often made with refined flour, processed meats, and unhealthy oils, all of which contribute to belly fat. Instead, making pizza at home with a whole grain crust, lean protein, and plenty of veggies can be a nutritious and satisfying alternative.
Processed Meats
Deli meats, bacon, and hot dogs may be convenient, but they’re high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. These can slow metabolism and encourage fat storage. Swapping them for fresh, lean proteins like grilled chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives can make a big difference in maintaining a slimmer waistline.
Maintaining a healthy waistline isn’t just about cutting calories — it’s about choosing the right foods. Many processed, sugary, and high-fat options can lead to weight gain, especially around the belly.
By making smarter swaps, like opting for whole grains, fresh proteins, and natural snacks, you can support a healthier metabolism and keep cravings in check. Small changes to your diet can have a big impact over time, helping you feel better, stay energized, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Update on the Pope’s health after he reportedly informed aides he ‘won’t make it this time
According to people close to the veteran, Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital last week for the same illness that caused him to become ill in 2023, but this time he doesn’t think he’ll be as fortunate. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday last week (February 14) with bronchitis, a respiratory infection, and was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs.
“Pneumonia is inflammation and fluid in your lungs caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. In addition to making breathing difficult, it can result in fever and coughing up crimson, green, or yellow mucus.
Additionally, it states that “if left untreated, especially if you have an underlying health condition,” pneumonia can be fatal. Thankfully, it is recognised that baby is breathing on his own despite the diagnosis.
Politico said that the head of the Catholic Church has been “suffering from intense pain and has privately expressed certainty he won’t make it this time,” according to two persons who were supposedly aware of the situation.
However, a third source reportedly told the US-based website that Francis, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Flores neighbourhood, is only following “doctor’s orders.”
On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni paid the Pope a visit and emphasised that he was healthy enough to joke about. “I’m glad to have found him responsive and attentive.
As usual, we made jokes. “He still has a good sense of humour,” she clarified. Today, February 21, the Vatican released a statement that said, “The night went well, and this morning Pope Francis got up and had breakfast.”
The Vatican maintained on Wednesday that the Pope was recovering, despite reports from people close to him suggesting otherwise. They added: “The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in inflammatory indices.” “Pope Francis has had a restful night and this morning, got out of bed and had breakfast in an armchair,” the Vatican wrote on Thursday, February 20.
Pope Francis greets people at the end of the weekly general audience on February 12 – just two days before he was admitted to hospital (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)
Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in March 2023 with acute bronchitis, so this is not the first time he has been hospitalised with a respiratory ailment.
“I am still alive,” he declared to the public after being released from the hospital.
Twelve years ago, in March 2013, Pope Francis was chosen, making him the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European elected in almost 1,300 years.
Optical illusions have always intrigued us, capturing our attention and leaving us with many unanswered questions.
Rather than just using flashy tricks, these fascinating images take us on a deep, thoughtful journey, showing us the complexities of how we see things.
Our special optical illusions will make you rethink everything you know about yourself. They might give you more insight into your life.
What grabs your attention immediately?
This picture is interesting because it shows how you see both the world and yourself. If you see a duck first, it means you’re outgoing, enjoy being around people, think quickly, and handle stress well.
If you see a rabbit first, it means you believe slow and steady wins the race. You prefer to think things through carefully before making a decision.
When you want something done right, you follow the proper steps. You are more introverted than most people. Like me, you prefer a few close friends over many acquaintances.
Do you see the faces or the vase?
This picture trick was created by a Danish psychologist to show how people see their strengths and weaknesses. If you see two faces first, you’re good at noticing small details and understand many different jobs.
But if you noticed the vase first, you’re someone who focuses on the overall picture and might miss small things.
Do you see an old man or a young woman?
At first, you might see one of two images. If you see the big-nosed older man looking down, you’re someone who pays close attention to details. Sometimes, though, you might overthink things because you’re very sensitive and understand others’ needs well.
But if you see the woman turning the other way, you’re more spontaneous and like to do things quickly. Your optimism helps you stay in control of your adventurous side.
Do you see an older or younger woman?
Who you see first in this picture might give away your age. If you see the young woman turning away, you’re probably still young. But if you notice the older woman, you might be older yourself. This was studied and published in the academic journal Scholarly Reports.
Heart surgeon shares four types of foods you should ‘always avoid’ as they ‘poison’ your body
When it comes to our health, there are plenty of things that we should consider. However, a well-balanced diet is one of the most important factors.
Heart surgeon Dr. Jeremy London, who’s very famous on TikTok with his valuable advice he shares with his followers, shared a video in which he highlighted four foods that are dangerous for our body.
Fast Food
As expected, he places fast food on the top of the list of foods that need to be avoided.
Dr. London labels fast food as “edible food product,” emphasizing the fact that they lack important nutritional value.
A 2017 article published by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine notes that fast foods are high in calories and low in nutrients. They are loaded with various synthetic ingredients, chemicals, extra corn syrup, sugar, artificial sweeteners, salt, and coloring agents. All these can affect our health in a negative way.
Soft Drinks
Dr. London, who has almost 400,000 followers on his TikTok account, refers to soft drinks as to “liquid death.”
These drinks are full of sugars and their consumption can easily lead to obesity and diabetes.
The same goes for the diet sodas, which are expected to be a healthier option but are actually disrupting our metabolism and increasing the hunger.
The surgeon’s opinion about soft drinks is backed up by a number of research conducted over the years. A particular one, from the UCLA Health, highlights that even a single can of soda per day can increase the risk of developing type II diabetes.
Milk Products
Further, the heart surgeon lists milk products as type of foods that poison our bodies.
Humans are the only mammals who consume milk beyond infancy and consume the milk of other species.
Milk products are full of saturated fat, whose consumption is linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
The website of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine states that “Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.”
Dr. London advises that we either limit or avoid milk products altogether.
Alcohol
According to Dr. London, alcohol is “absolutely toxic to every cell in our bodies.
“Even moderate or occasional use is in fact detrimental,” he says. “So if we are working so hard to optimize our health, the least you could do is stop actively poisoning your body.”
Instead, we should focus on diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and consume minimally processed foods such as beans and wholegrains.
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