Just A Guy Thing

via tiny banquet committee

Trying to lose weight and firm up your belly after the holiday binge? One of the keys to reducing fat around your midsection is to focus on eating mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) – a healthy fat!

New research suggests that eating foods rich in MUFAs not only reduces the risk of heart disease, but also helps you lose fat, specifically around your middle.

A great source of MUFAs is almonds. A handful of almonds a day can improve your cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides, helping you reduce the fat around your midsection.

Triglycerides are the primary form of fat in foods, regardless of the type of fat i.e., unsaturated or saturated. Blood triglycerides normally increase after eating a meal containing dietary fat. Elevated blood triglyceride levels are a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at King’s College London, University of London explored how the fiber plant cell wall of almonds impacts the accessibility of nutrients. They found that almonds appear to hinder the ability to absorb all of the fat.

For example, in one study using a model gut, research also found indications that the cell walls of almonds swell during digestion, becoming permeable, allowing the fat in almonds to be slowly released throughout the digestive tract.

Almonds make a great afternoon snack, or try sprinkling 2 tablespoons of almonds over low-fat unsweetened yogurt and berries for an energizing breakfast.