TODAY nutritionist Joy Bauer, along with her fitness team, are helping people get in shape in our "6 Months to a 6 Pack Challenge."
Ready to jump start your fab-ab diet? Our first week requires you to incorporate these two belly-slimming tips:
- Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to your daily menu. Thanks to 5 grams of fiber, a tablespoon of chia seeds can help suppress appetite and keep your digestive track moving along. Wondering how to incorporate these nutrition sprinkles into your daily menu? Check out the delicious recipes below!
- Have a cup of unsweetened green tea (hot or iced) 15 minutes before eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’ll take up room in your stomach so you consume less at mealtime, and as a bonus, green tea slightly revs up your metabolism for more calorie-burn throughout the day. Let’s get started!
Chia oatmeal: Add 1/2 cup dry oats and 1 cup water to a small pot, and heat until boiling. Lower temperature and allow to cook for another minute before adding in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. Once water has been absorbed, turn off heat and stir in 1 teaspoon maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and half a chopped apple (with the skin). Makes 1 serving. 260 calories.
Chia smoothie: Blend 3/4 cup fat free milk, 1/4 cup 100% apple juice, 3/4 cup frozen berries, 1/2 ripe banana, 1 Tablespoon chia seeds and, 3-5 ice cubes until smooth and frothy. Makes 1 serving. 270 calories.
Chia pudding: In a small pot, add 1/2 cup water, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes or until the seeds absorb the water and the mixture becomes gelatinous. Transfer to a container and chill in fridge for about 2 hours before serving. Makes 1 serving. 160 calories.
For more belly-slimming tips and recipes, visit JoyBauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.