The #1 Best Smoothie to Burn Abdominal Fat, Says Dietitian

Losing abdominal fat comes down to eating a really healthy, nutrient-dense diet that's generally low in sugar and excess calories.

"When trying to lose abdominal fat, there's no specific meal plan or diet that is guaranteed to target abdominal fat. However, what you eat can make a big difference when it comes to weight loss and decreasing visceral fat, which is the type of fat located in the abdomen," says Amber Pankonin, RD, the owner of the food blog the Stirlist.

"In general, excess calories from oversized portions of food and added sugars can lead to increased belly fat," she adds.

An easy way to make sure you are keeping calories, portions, and sugar in check is by making yourself a homemade smoothie. (Yes, not all smoothies are packed with sugar!) This is why making them yourself at home is super important.

"Smoothies can be high in added sugar and might not provide enough calories from fat or protein in order to keep you full," notes Pankonin. "In fact, some smoothies can be as high as 800-1,200 calories depending on serving size, and this could really be harmful for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and could sabotage weight loss efforts."

But the one smoothie you should be making for yourself if you're trying to burn abdominal fat is Pankonin's Chocolate Peanut Butter Kefir Smoothie.

stirlist chocolate peanut butter kefir smoothie — Courtesy of Stirlist

Here's the recipe:

1 cup kefir (original, no flavor)
1 TB cocoa powder
2 TB powdered peanut butter
1 TB creamy peanut butter
1 TB Truvia (stevia/sugar blend)
1 cup ice

How this smoothie recipe can help you burn abdominal fat

"This smoothie recipe contains about 350 calories, 20 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber," says Pankonin.

"It still provides some carbohydrates (about 30 grams), but I like it because it's low in added sugar, high in protein, and contains good bacteria for digestive health from the kefir."

It's high in satiating protein

According to Pankonin, the protein will help keep you fuller longer, which is helpful for any plan that aims to reduce belly fat through weight loss.

It contains healthy fats

It also contains peanuts and healthy fats.

"Peanuts have been shown to help reduce hunger and may help prevent spikes in blood sugar," she says. "This can be really helpful for appetite control, especially when your goal is to reduce belly fat."

It's good for your gut health

Finally, you'll also get some additional gut benefits since it contains kefir, a fermented dairy beverage that provides probiotics.

"Probiotics are good bacteria for our gut microbiome, which might play a role in reducing belly fat when included in an energy-restricted diet," says Pankonin.