These 5 Foods Will Ruin Your Abs

Have you ever heard the term "abs are made in the kitchen"? Anyone who has a defined midsection certainly knows this to be true, while anyone whose looking to achieve it ought to take the saying seriously. What you consume on a daily basis, along with doing effective fat burning exercises, has a big affect on your results. But what about the foods you shouldn't eat? Here are five particular foods you need to steer clear of.

These come complete with gas, which results in some serious bloating. And many of these beverages have added sugars as well, providing you with nothing but empty calories. Along with ruining your abs, they've also been linked to a heightened risk of developing such things as diabetes, heart attack, gout, osteoporosis and obesity. Stay away from diet options, too, as they use artificial sweeteners which are known to affect your metabolism as well as prevent fat-burning.

Foods that contain refined grains, like white bread, white rice and pasta cause bloating, and spike your insulin, which causes fat storage in your belly. 

Foods high in sodium can cause your body to retain water, resulting in a bloated and puffy look. Because so many processed foods already have iodized table salt in them, be careful not to add more to your meal. Salt-reduced products are your best bet.

White potatoes are high in GI, which can spike your blood sugar, and result in overeating when it returns to normal. Chips and fries are even worse, as they are cooked in bad oils that just lead your body to storing more fat. Making your own oven-baked sweet potato fries is a healthy alternative.

Sugar intake has been linked to weight gain by a multitude of studies, as well as various other health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. When you consume sugar, your insulin spikes immediately. This causes the body to crash and burn later, resulting in an increase of fat storage.

Do you try to avoid these foods regularly, or was this information new to you?

For foods you can AND should eat, check out the BodyRock Meal Plan!

Have You Taken The BodyRock 7-Day Clean Eating Challenge?

We’ve put together a 7 Day Guide that helps you to buy the right foods and prepare the meals that are going to help you eat well and create healthy habits in your lifestyle. Learn More about the Clean Eating Challenge