Slideshow: Belly-Fattening Foods Men Can't Resist
Belly Fattener: Ice Cream
Ice cream is one of the food treats men love most. You do get some protein and calcium. But you also get 230 calories per half-cup, and that's just for plain vanilla, no toppings.
Better Bet: Look for the slow-churned kind. It's lower in fat, and many flavors have only 100 calories per half-cup.
Belly Fattener: Chips
What if you could only have one snack for the rest of your life? Men in one survey picked chips. A serving of 15 chips has 160 calories. But who stops at 15? Add just 2 tablespoons of French onion dip and you've piled on 60 more calories and 5 grams of fat.
Better Bet: Fat-free popcorn. Six cups have just 100 calories.
Belly Fattener: Bacontini
This cocktail is as fatty as it is trendy. It's scotch or vodka infused with bacon fat. Sometimes it's served with a strip of bacon. At around 284 calories a glass, that's more than in a doughnut.
Better Bet: Classic martini, in moderation. The alcohol still adds calories, but your heart will prefer the olive to a strip of bacon.
Belly Fattener: Beer
The average 12-ounce can of beer has about 150 calories. Down a couple every night, and "Hello, beer belly." Men with a waist bigger than 40 inches (with or without beer) are more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some types of cancer.
Better Bet: Light beer cuts your intake to about 100 calories a can.
Belly Fattener: Fatty Red Meat
If you're the meat and potatoes type, you'd love a big, juicy steak that covers your plate. But a 16-ounce prime rib can have more than 1,000 calories and 37 grams of "bad" fat. That's without any sides or appetizers.
Better Bet: Lean meat, such as sirloin, tenderloin, or flank steak. The piece should be the size of your fist, not your plate.
Belly Fattener: Caffeinated Soda and "Power" Drinks
A soda spiked with caffeine or an energy drink may seem like a smart pick-me-up. One 20-ounce bottle of full-sugar soda packs 250 calories, along with the caffeine.
Better Bet: Black coffee. A 20-ounce cup has almost no calories. Like milk? Use the nonfat kind to stay under 100 calories.
Belly Fattener: BBQ Pork Sandwich
Tailgate party staples include beer, chips, and BBQ pork sandwiches on fluffy white rolls. The shredded pork may hit the spot before you settle in for the game. Yet each sandwich can have more than 600 calories.
Better Bet: Lean grilled chicken or burgers on whole wheat buns. Pair with healthier tailgate sides like baked beans and coleslaw.
Belly Fattener: Rack of Ribs
A whole rack of ribs has 1,000 calories and a day's worth of fat. The tasty sauce adds calories, sugar, and sodium.
Better Bet: Have half a rack of ribs, and save it for a special occasion. Add a baked sweet potato with a squeeze of lime juice or sprinkle of cinnamon to round out the meal.
Lose the Gut: Yogurt
Not everything tasty pads your belly. In one study, yogurt (along with veggies, whole grains, fruits, and nuts) was among the foods not linked to weight gain. Another study linked eating yogurt to lower body fat and belly fat.
Bonus: Low-fat or nonfat yogurt boost calcium and vitamin D. Most adults don't get enough of these.
Lose the Gut: Fiber Foods
They may be your best friend against belly fat. One study found that people who eat more soluble fiber gain less belly fat than others over five years. Just 10 grams of soluble fiber made the difference. That's the amount in two small apples, a cup of green peas, and 1/2 cup of pinto beans.
Lose the Gut: Exercise
Regular exercise can help you lose weight and keep a spare tire at bay. Though you can't do exercises to spot-reduce, being more active will help your whole body, including your belly. If you're already overweight, shedding just 10% of your weight will improve your odds of staying healthy.
Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD on July 15, 2011
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SOURCES:
Applebee’s: "Nutritional Information."
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream: "Our Flavors – Vanilla."
Burger King: "Menu and Nutrition."
Calorie King: "Ales and Beers."
CalorieLab: "Cheesecake Factory Nutrition Facts."
Coutinho, T. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2010.
Dunkin’ Donuts: "Donuts."
Edy’s Slow Churned: "Flavor Details – Vanilla."
Experimental Biology 2009, New Orleans, April 18-22, 2009.
Fitness: "Junk Food Survey."
Johns Hopkins: "Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: More Evidence Against Trans Fats."
Lay’s: "Classic Potato Chips," "French Onion Dip."
Los Angeles Times: "Candied Bacon Martini."
McDonald’s: "Angus Bacon & Cheese."
Mozaffarian, D. New England Journal of Medicine, June 2011.
Nathan’s Famous: "Calorie Spreadsheet."
National Diabetes Education Program: "Buffet Table Tips for People with Diabetes."
NPR: "Would You Like A Little Bacon In That Martini?"
Orville: "Fat-Free Popcorn."
Outback Steakhouse: "Nutritional Information."
Panera Bread: "Nutrition Calculator – Cherry Pastry."
Pepsi: "Pepsi Product Information – Mountain Dew."
Pizza Hut: "Nutrition Information."
Powerade: "Powerade Products."
Ruby Tuesday: "Nutritional Menu Guide."
Runner’s World: "How Many Calories Are You Really Burning?"
Self Nutrition Data: "Peanuts, all types, oil-roasted, with salt."
Self Nutrition Data: "Spiced Up Sweet Potato Fries."
Stancliffe, R. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, published online June 29, 2011.
Starbucks:"Caffè Misto."
Swanson: "Dinners – Chicken Nuggets."
Weight-control Information Network: "Weight and Waist Measurement."
Wendy’s: "Nutrition Facts & Personalize It."
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information:
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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