2 Pantry Foods You Should Avoid At All Costs Because They Lead To Abdominal Fat, Experts Warn

1. Potato Chips

While eating potato chips once in a while isn't going to cause instant weight gain, Garrico warns that snacking on oily, high-calorie and fatty chips "is your worst enemy, especially if you are trying to reduce belly fat." Garrico acknowledges that it might feel like potato chips are the "best thing in the world when you are hungry but not hungry," or that "they are not bad because they have some fat content or have 19.8% sugar," but the reality is because they are "burnt or fried." It's the process of making potato chips that makes them harmful to your belly fat, he stresses. "Further, potato chips are mostly salt. Salt makes your body retain water, making it seem bloated," he adds, which leads to weight gain. Say it ain't so!

2. Processed Energy Bars

The least healthy type of carbohydrate to eat is ultra-processed carbohydrates that are frequently found in packaged foods such as fried foods, pastries like donuts, and "processed energy bars," Hunnes says. The reason these types of carbs are not great at any age, let alone over 40, is because "they provide no nutritional benefit, they are often devoid of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds," she adds. This, she says, is terrible for the metabolism because it leads to "insulin spikes, increases in IGF-1, an inflammatory marker, and increases risk for chronic diseases and deposition (fat storage) of calories in the body."

Instead, Hunnes concludes that for our overall health (and not just in preventing belly fat), we are "best off to eat the least processed carbohydrates possible, such as whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, in their natural form— unprocessed."  These, she stresses, are "not harmful for our metabolism and are anti-inflammatory, high in fiber, and help regulate weight" in this area and elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Of course, effective weight loss requires dedication to a number of healthy habits, including fat-burning exercise—it's not enough to just cut out a few specific foods. However, limiting your intake of highly processed culprits like potato chips and processed energy bars is one good way to improve your efforts. By replacing these items with whole, nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, you can support a healthier metabolism, prevent fat storage, and promote overall wellness.