Can Water Flatten My Stomach?

Email from Anonymous:

I've heard that water can flatten your stomach. Is this fact or fiction?

Lisa's Response:

If your stomach is out of shape, probably most of it is fat but a good percentage of it can be from bloating. Bloating comes from big meals, eating fatty foods and other digestion disorders.

Water aids the digestion process and helps break down foods much easier thus decreasing the size of your stomach.

Of course, a good diet and exercise is the best way to get that stomach flat, but water is an excellent companion to weight loss and tummy flattening.

Diet - An Ugly 4-Letter Word

Email from Anonymous:

What do you think of the Atkins diet and can you recommend an effective diet plan for me?

Lisa's Response:

I would never recommend any of those fad diets because too many doctors have proven there are serious flaws in most of them. The key is not to go on any temporary diet, but to change your eating habits permanently.

Read this article on dieting.

Soda and Flattening the Stomach

Email from Anonymous:

Do I have to cut out soda completely if I want to keep my stomach flat?

Lisa's Response:

I have never been a fan of cutting out the foods/drinks you love completely. When you stop rewarding yourself all together, you run the risk of getting bored with your eating habits. Next, the cravings for the foods you miss start to set in and you may pick up your old habits again.

The key is moderation. You can still treat yourself from time to time. If you normally drink 4 cans of soda a day, try cutting it down to 1 can. Drink water and low sugar fruit juices instead.