Eat Your Way to a Flat Stomach

As the weather gets warmer and we need to shed some of our protective layers of clothing, our bellies become the focal point of our wardrobes.

The following superfoods will help flatten your tummy and curb your appetite:

Spinach – a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, this dark green leafy vegetable helps build muscle and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.

Yogurt – yogurt cultures fight bacteria in your body, boost your immune system, help protect againt cancer and even fight cavities. But be sure to chose yogurt with live and active cultures, not the sugar-filled ones found in most supermarkets. Read the label and avoid any containing high-fructose corn syrup.

Tomatoes – the godsend of Italians, red tomatoes are are packed with the antioxidant lycopene, which can help decrease the risk of bladder, lung, prostate, breast, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Chunk up some tomatoes, sprinkle with a little oregano and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Yum.

Carrots – most red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids, which reduce the risk of cancer, and help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Carrots are low in calories and taste sweet and yummy. Add them to salads or crunch on a handful of baby carrots as a snack.

Blueberries – possibly one of the best berries on Earth. Full of anioxidants, rich in fiber and packed with Vitamins A and C, blueberries help prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and age-related memory disorders. They’ll also give you a good cleaning out.

Black Beans – Beans, bean, good for your heart, the more you eat the more you…you know the rest. All beans are good for you but black beans have special brain-boosting powers. They’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function.

Walnuts – loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s, and anti-inflammatory polyphenols and muscle-building protein, walnuts are one of the healthiest snacks you can eat. They also help curb your appetite if you eat a handful about a half hour before a meal.

Oats – packed with soluble fiber and protein, oats help lower the risk of heart disease and feed your muscles with energy. There’s a reason for the sayings “sow your oats” and “feel your oats.” Oats rock.

Try to work these eight wonderfoods into your diet every day.

While you’re at it, try to take these American staples in moderation: potatoes, white bread, white flour, refined white sugar, white rice, semolina pasta, basically most white foods. They don’t call them stick-to-your-ribs foods for nothing.

Green, red, orange, blue and black. Paint your diet with these colors and you’ll feel better and look better, too.

Source: Yahoo Health: 8 Ultimate Flat-Belly Summer Foods