- Ice Cream
You do get some calcium from ice cream. 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. - 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. - Beer
The average 12-ounce can of beer has about 150 calories.Those calories add up, just like anything else you eat or drink.
Better Bet: Light beer cuts your intake to about 100 calories a can. - 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. - Meat-Topped Pizza
Pizza can be healthy. But if you like toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, ham, and beef, you could get more than 300 calories in one slice.
Better Bet: Instead, top pizza with veggies. You get extra fiber and nutrients, and up to 100 fewer calories per slice. - Giant Burgers
If it looks big and loaded, it will bloat your calorie budget, too. Some have more than 1,000 calories and up to 75 grams of fat.
Better Bet: Stick to a single grilled burger made with lean ground beef or lean turkey, or a veggie burger. - Super-Size Fries
Want some fries with that? Most of us do, not knowing that a large order of fries can have as many calories as a burger.
Better Bet: Order a side salad or fruit cup. - Too Much Soda
Do you know how many calories are in a serving? Or how many servings are in a bottle? One 20-ounce bottle of regular soda packs 250 calories.
Better Bet: Water. If you're seeking caffeine, try black coffee. A 20-ounce cup has almost no calories. Like milk? Make it nonfat to stay under 100 calories. - Buffalo Wings
An order of chicken wings packs about 700 calories. If you choose the boneless buffalo-style, that's 1,160 calories, not counting dips! Blue cheese sauce adds another 240 calories and 26 grams of fat.
Better Bet: Grilled chicken strips. Make wings a rare treat. - Huge Frozen Dinners
There's nothing wrong with convenience, but watch the size. Some dishes are very high in calories, sodium, and trans fats.
Better Bet: Read labels for lean frozen dinners made with whole grains. - All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
If you can't resist piling your plate, try to make smart choices. Load up on steamed vegetables and salad. Skip the fatty dressings and sauces.
Better Bet: Steer clear of buffets if you have trouble setting limits.
Help Yourself to 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 dairy foods like yogurt to lower body fat and belly fat.
Bonus:
Low-fat or nonfat yogurt boosts calcium. Look for those fortified with vitamin D. Most adults don't get enough of either of these nutrients.
Go for Blueberries
There is no magic food that burns fat. But eating more of any fruit, in place of fattier or high-calorie fare, can help you lose weight. Blueberries, and other fruits, are rich in nutrients that are good for you and are naturally sweet.
Fill Up on 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 5 years. Just 10 grams a day 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.
Get Some Exercise
Regular exercise can help you lose weight. 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.