Natural Ways to a Flatter Stomach

There is nothing more annoying than when all those crunches you do don't even create a hint of a six-pack. The fact is there's no such thing as spot reduction from a specific body part. While crunches tone tummy muscles, they wont' lead to a flat belly, which is all about diet and digestion. Here are additional things you can do to help you with your program:

- Clear out your colon. This is a simple way to make your tummy look trim. Bloating caused by undigested foods or a poor ration of "good" to "bad" bacteria in the large intestine will increase the size of the belly. Most of us carry an extra 10 pounds of waste products in the color and a daily fiber intake of 25 to 35 grams, along with 2 liters of water, is recommended to keep the colon moving. Introduce fiber gradually to avoid getting constipated.

- Use probiotics. If your bloat is due to an excess of unhealthy intestinal microbes, daily supplementation with probiotics, combined with foods such as natural yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut also may help.

- Keep meals simple. Combine protein with vegetables (a salmon salad, for example). Earlier in the day eat bigger meals and avoid eating 2-3 hours before going to bed.