Written by Christine Chanel

“New year, new you,” as that silly saying goes. It’s time to say goodbye to sugar and unwanted belly fat finally. Let’s move forward into 2021, feeling our best. 

Belly fat can be a problem for most people, even for those who are not overweight by definition. It’s tricky, stubborn, and may almost feel impossible to shed. While you can not spot-reduce fat from your stomach, it is possible to lose an overall body fat percentage by adjusting your BMI.

Different Types of Belly Fat

Not all body fat is bad. We need body fat to survive. Subcutaneous fat is the type of fat that resembles excess tissue. Typically it is visibly squishy, jiggly, and overall harmless. It is even currently being studied to prove that it could be protective against certain diseases. Everyone has subcutaneous fat—it can be due to genetics or lack of exercise. Most people lose subcutaneous fat with more aerobic fitness and burning more calories than they consume.  

Visceral fat, on the other hand, is more insidious. Known as an “active fat,” in excess, it could have potentially dangerous consequences. Active fat is associated with insulin resistance and hormone function, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. 

Visceral fat is stored deeply within the abdominal cavity around vital internal organs such as the liver, the pancreas, and intestines, creating inflammation of the organs and building up in the arteries. This inflammation can drastically pose the risk of severe health issues such as heart attack, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, depression, and more.

 A large build-up of visceral fat leads to what is known as central obesity. It is typically caused by little or no exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and a diet high in carbohydrates, saturated fat, and sugar. 

Say Goodbye To Sugar And Belly Fat

Sugar is all around us. Many people in-take way more than they even realize and unfortunately pay the price. Our insulin levels rise when we consume sugar and carbs. Insulin helps keep your blood sugar in a specific range. If we over-consume sugar, our insulin levels will remain high all the time, leading to diabetes and weight gain. 

Hidden Sugar

The average American consumes eighty-three grams of sugar per day. Eighty-three.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup lurks in most popular beverages. You may not be aware of how often you consume this processed sweetener. 

• flavored coffee drinks
• sweetened iced tea
• soft beverages 
• Energy drinks
• Wine
• Beer
• Cocktail mixers

Sugary drinks make it easy to consume large amounts of sugar quickly and mindlessly over a short period. Try getting creative with your daily water. Implementing healthy sugars, such as fruits or vegetables, can make drinking water fun. Seltzers paired with a splash of sugar-free juice can also provide a tasty yet healthier alternative. When drinking alcohol, opt for a clear spirit such as vodka, gin, or tequila instead of wine or beer. These spirits have no added sugar, so you can enjoy a cocktail without adding sugar when pairing them with soda water.

Everything has sugar. It would be nearly impossible to live on a diet that eliminates all sugar—it is just not possible. It is vital to becoming aware of what you intake. Sauces, salad dressings, and yogurts can all be surprisingly high in sugar, turning what you thought was a healthy meal into something less than. 

Opt for creating home-made dressings and sauces using ingredients like Apple Cider Vinegar, citrus, and spices. Greek yogurt has a lower amount of sugar than regular yogurts that are often processed with high-fructose corn syrup.

 Combat Sugar & Belly Fat

Taking a stand against unwanted sugar does not mean that you must deprive yourself of indulgence. Reducing sugar intake can result in some crucial benefits.

RED chocolate is crafted with all-natural sweeteners derived from melons, all while delivering buttery, creamy flavor without the added refined sugar. 40% less fat and 35% fewer calories than other leading chocolates. RED is low carb, reduced calorie, reduced fat, gluten-free, Kosher certified, and vegetarian. RED is also Weight Watchers, Whole30, Keto, and Atkins friendly. RED can add an extra bit of something special to any crave-curbing snack you desire without the unwanted sugar. Say goodbye to sugar and unwanted belly fat while eating delicious chocolate.

• Create your own salad dressings and sauces
• Greek yogurt vs. Processed flavors
• More protein to keep you fuller, longer
• Clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila, rum) paired with club soda or mineral water to substitute beer, wine, or mixed drinks
• Natural sweeteners paired with products with reduced sugar such as RED Chocolate

Reducing sugar will not be an easy task—But, we’ll be here to make it a little sweeter.