what to eat to get a six pack
What to Eat to Get a Six Pack
Just working out to get a six pack is not enough, one needs to eat the right kind of foods to achieve that enviable core.
"If you don't follow a good nutritional plan, you're bodybuilding with one arm behind your back."
- Shawn Ray
So, you are focusing on the best exercises to get six pack abs, and following a strict routine of bodybuilding exercises? However, just exercising won't help you to get six pack abs. Nutrition is equally important as exercising. If you don't provide the body with the adequate nutrition, you will not be able to achieve the desired six pack abs.
But, by following a proper six pack diet you can speed up the process of building muscles and also maintain better health.
Six Pack Abs Diet
Honey-Lemon Water
In the morning, before breakfast take a glass of lukewarm water and add juice of one lemon and a teaspoon of honey to it. Stir the water and drink it up. This will help you get rid of fat in the body and help in building your core.
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should NOT be skipped. As skipping breakfast makes you binge during other meals. Also, having breakfast will provide your body the necessary fuel required to do the morning work. If you are rushing to some place, and can't spare much time then grab some energy bars or a smoothie. Ideally a breakfast should consist of a cereal which is a source of fiber, then proteins which you can get from an omelet or turkey sandwich, a bowl of fruits, and some milk. So, eat a nutritious big breakfast everyday.
Eat Fiber Rich Food
Eat fruits which are rich in fiber, fiber will help clean your body and make you feel full for longer. So, instead of eating white bread eat brown bread, and eat lots of green veggies and fruit servings.
Load-up the Proteins
Protein is a very important food for bodybuilding. You can get proteins from tuna, eggs, chicken, cottage cheese, salmon, etc. Protein will also help boost your metabolism. An important protein for bodybuilding is casein, which you can find in milk and cottage cheese. It stays in your body for longer and provides a steady stream of amino acids.
Eat the Right Fats
While you are on the six pack diet don't cut too much on fats. As many research show that moderate fat weight loss diet help to stick to the program longer. However, this doesn't mean you can eat any type of fat, stick to Mediterranean-style fats like nuts, almonds, avocados, fish, and olive oil. These fats don't promote heart disease or cancer, and have additional benefits like lowering of cholesterol and protection of joints.
Add Complex Carbs
Include complex carbohydrates in your abs diet. As eating carbohydrates will lessen the sugar that is converted into body fat. Eat green leafy vegetables, root crops like sweet potatoes and legumes.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drink lots of water. On an average people should drink eight glasses of water. However, try to drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water throughout the day. Water is very helpful for fat loss, and will keep your body hydrated and also help remove toxins out of the body.
Eat Smaller Dinner
While working towards six pack abs eating large dinners should be avoided, as it can make a person put on weight. We tend to be less active after dinner, and thus, the calories will get stored in the body and convert into fat. So, in the evening have a healthy snack of fruit and salads and then have a light dinner.
Avoid Alcohol
Try to lessen the intake of alcohol, as alcohol tends to bloat the stomach. Also, consuming alcohol means you have extra calories to burn.
Avoid Junk
When on a six pack abs diet, it is important that you cut down on sodium, as sodium tends to bloat the stomach. Avoid any junk or fried foods. Especially, foods which contain trans fat in them. Trans fat is very difficult to get rid of from the body. Avoid fries and carbonated drinks too because carbonated drinks cause bloating and water retention, due to their sodium content.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods contains chemical preservatives, fats, and sodium in it. So, avoid these foods completely. Instead make fresh food preparations, they are healthier and taste better too.
Avoid Corn Syrup/Sugar
High fructose corn syrup is harmful to the body and something that you must exclude out of your abs diet. It is 20 times sweeter than table sugar, and gets converted into fat quickly. So, it can hinder in achieving the six pack, also, it is not good for your heart.
More Tips
So, sit down and make a diet plan that fits in your lifestyle and is suited to your body and include the above foodstuffs and exclude the 'avoid' ones. Plan your diet smartly, and once in 10 days have a more relaxed eating day. This will help to stick to the meal plan better. Do your entire week grocery shopping at once and make sure you choose healthy and fresh foods. Also, whenever you go to a restaurant avoid overeating, and choose from the menu smartly. Make sure the dishes you choose are compatible with your abs diet plan.
Apart from following a good diet plan, a great workout regime, make sure you get adequate rest too. Avoid working on Sunday. Also, get your 8 hours of sleep daily too. And, remember this saying by Greg Plitt -
"If you think you can do it, your body will find a way to make it happen."
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.