Slim Down your Belly: Foods and Drinks to Start your Day Right

We all know that eating well, exercising properly and often, sleeping well and taking active measures to destress can really help us remain healthy for a long time. Now, let us expand some more on the diet and exercise component of your routine. This is because the presence and retention of belly fat is very closely related to them. Having a larger waist size is not just a problem because finding well fitting clothes may be harder than usual. It is mainly because this layer of visceral fat can cause other systemic disorders- like increasing your probability of suffering from metabolic disorders and heart issues, most of which can be chronic in nature.

Effective Morning Routines For Reducing Abdominal Fat-

Fat has insulating properties and efficiently protects all the soft organs located deep within your abdomen. But too much of it is not good. It can cause insulin resistance which can lead to Type 2 diabetes. So, we will take you through some helpful tips, so that you can begin burning fat in the right way, from the moment you wake up-

• You can begin your day with a glass of water or warm water. This way, you can go poop in peace, hydrate well and also help detoxify your system as a whole. 
• You can try to squeeze in some yoga or your favourite exercise routine. This way, your heart rate gets elevated and fat also begins to break down. 
• If you can do some HIIT workout, then it is even better. This is when you alternate between normal and fast paced exercises. Different intensities can force your body to work hard- to keep up with the pace you are setting. 
• You should try to have a protein rich breakfast within one hour of waking up. This is important because your body needs energy after a full night’s fast. It also needs energy to help break down fats, so not eating breakfast is not an option.
• You can make it a point to eat fibre rich meals- this can help your system in one major way. You feel full with less amounts of food. 
• Sleeping restfully is very important too. You should try to practice sleep hygiene by making your bedroom a relaxing spot – where it is easy to fall asleep, without too much effort. 
• Proper stress relieving techniques are your best friends here.

Morning Drinks That Help Burn Stomach Fat-

We have rounded up our favourite morning drinks for you. You can think of them as serving 3 main objectives- detox, appetite suppression and metabolism boosting drinks. Let’s take a look at them-

• Green tea- it contains a compound like catechins.help burn energy in a more regular manner, which means you won’t have that bad crash leading to low energy later on. You can drink 2-3 glasses every day, ideally between meals.
• Cucumber water with mint- cucumber is great for your tummy. It has diuretic properties. You can drink this throughout the day.
• Ginger Tisane- Boil some ginger in water and drink it. It will warm you up and help you burn more calories. We think honey is a great addition, but it may help more if you drink it without any sweetener. 
• Buttermilk is full of probiotics and is a great snack.
• Haldi doodh or turmeric milk – This gold coloured milk is full of antioxidants which help you detoxify. You should add some pepper, so that the curcumin in turmeric is better absorbed by your body. 
• Amla or gooseberry juice is full of Vitamin C and rich in minerals. It also helps regulate your blood glucose levels. 
• Jeera water and fennel or saunf water are also great for reducing bloating and indigestion. 
• Black coffee is great for the liver and GI system as a whole as it is full of good quality antioxidants. So, enjoy your morning cuppa without any guilt. But no sweetener, please.

Healthy Breakfast Options For A Flat Stomach-

You can try making protein rich breakfasts which will keep you feeling full for longer.

• South Indian breakfasts typically tend to have some rice component to them. We are asking you to switch the rice out with dals or lentils. This strategy works great for all your favourite tiffins- like adai, dosa, idli, pesarattu, chilla, masala dosa etc. You can try to make the batter with millets, besan flour, atta, different pulses and rava. 
• Oats does not need to be sweet, milky or boring. You can make a savoury version- curry flavoured with some spice powders and herbs. Full of fibre and goodness- this will warm you up in the chilly mornings. 
• Upma is a great starter, but eat it with a side of egg, scrambled tofu or paneer for some added protein. Toss in some veggies too for colour and extra goodness!
• You can pair phulkas which don’t have oil or ghee with scrambled eggs, tofu or paneer.
• Parathas with different veggies, dals and paneer are great with raita too. 
• Broken wheat or dalia is an amazing option- low in calories but very high in nutrition.