![\"WOMAN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/woman-measuring-waist.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA dietitian has shared that stubborn belly fat that refuses to budge despite dietary efforts may have little to do with what you eat.<\/p>\n
According to dietitian Alison Bladh, stress, inadequate sleep and blood sugar dysregulation are the primary culprits behind resistant abdominal fat.<\/p>\n
Speaking to GB News, Alison explained: “There is no reliable way to spot-reduce belly fat through one exercise or food.”<\/p>\n
She was particularly direct about a common misconception in fitness circles.<\/p>\n
There is no reliable way to spot reduce belly fat through one exercise or food<\/p>\n
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GETTY<\/p>\n
“Crunches can strengthen abdominal muscles, but they do not directly burn fat from the belly,” Alison stated.<\/p>\n
The expert noted that fat around the midsection responds particularly to hormonal factors, including cortisol levels and insulin sensitivity, rather than targeted exercises alone.<\/p>\n
For those seeking genuine results, she recommends a multifaceted approach combining resistance exercises with consistent daily movement.<\/p>\n
“What does work is a combination of resistance training, daily movement and a diet that stabilises blood sugar,” she explained.<\/p>\n
Incorporating two to three strength sessions weekly alongside a brisk walk each day is a good starting point.<\/p>\n
Nutritionally, Alison recommends including protein with every meal and ensuring half of each plate contains vegetables rich in fibre.<\/p>\n
Cutting back on highly processed foods and excess sugar also supports fat reduction around the abdomen. Alcohol consumption, Alison warned, presents a particular obstacle.<\/p>\n
“It adds calories with little satiety, increases snacking, and disrupts sleep, which can make belly fat harder to shift,” she explained.<\/p>\n
Even a few weeks of reduced drinking often produces noticeable changes to waistline measurements.<\/p>\n
Beyond exercise and nutrition, Alison identifies several lifestyle factors that prove even more influential in tackling abdominal fat.<\/p>\n
“Stress, sleep and blood sugar regulation are often more important than exercise alone,” she stated.<\/p>\n
Persistently elevated stress triggers cortisol production, which actively promotes fat accumulation around the midsection.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, insufficient sleep compromises the body’s ability to regulate insulin whilst simultaneously boosting hunger hormones. The timing of sleep matters considerably more than many appreciate.<\/p>\n
“Late nights, irregular bedtimes and short sleep disrupt circadian rhythms, which can worsen insulin sensitivity and increase appetite the next day,” Alison explained.<\/p>\n
Deficiencies in key micronutrients including magnesium, vitamin D, zinc and iron can also impede progress by affecting energy levels, mood and exercise recovery.<\/p>\n
Those struggling despite following basic guidance should consider having these levels checked.<\/p>\n
Alison offers a realistic timeline for those embarking on this approach.<\/p>\n
Initial improvements in bloating and general waist comfort typically emerge within a fortnight or three weeks of better dietary and sleep habits.<\/p>\n
![\"WOMAN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/woman-standing-on-scales.jpg\")
Abdominal fat is uniquely responsive to hormonal influences<\/p>\n
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GETTY<\/p>\n
However, genuine fat reduction around the abdomen requires considerably more patience.<\/p>\n
“Measurable fat loss around the abdomen typically takes six to twelve weeks of consistent lifestyle changes,” she noted.<\/p>\n
The dietitian cautions against interpreting rapid early changes as true progress.<\/p>\n
“Faster results are often water loss rather than true fat loss,” Alison warned.<\/p>\n
Sustainable outcomes, she emphasises, derive from maintaining steady habits over time rather than pursuing extreme or drastic measures. Consistency, it appears, trumps intensity when addressing stubborn abdominal fat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A dietitian has shared that stubborn belly fat that refuses to budge despite dietary efforts may have little…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":546887,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[493,499,103,61,60,166],"class_list":["post-546886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fitness","tag-diet","tag-fitness","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=546886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546886\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/546887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=546886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=546886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=546886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}