14 Foods to Avoid For a Flat Tummy

Cheese

If you're lactose intolerant, chances are you've experienced the gas or bloating that comes along with chowing down on a cheese board. "This is due to the fact that the lactase enzyme is missing, and lactose intolerant people cannot break down dairy products efficiently," explains Selvakumar. But even if you're not sensitive to dairy, cheese is dense in calories and saturated fat, and isn't considered a "flat stomach food." This isn't to say that all dairy is completely off limits (we don't know what we'd do if we had to part ways with mint chocolate chip ice cream)—healthy options like skim milk supply the body with protein and calcium. Still, if you're aiming for a slimmer midsection, do as the French do, and stay away from processed, melted cheese, and eat small portions of additive-free fromage instead.