If you think you're too busy to lose weight, we have one word for you: MUFA (pronounced "moofah"). Also known as "monounsaturated fatty acids," these plant-based compounds are the basis of the Flat Belly Diet, which can help you drop pounds and reduce belly fat. The even better news? Delicious foods such as olives, nuts and seeds, avocados, oils, and dark chocolate are some of the best sources of these healthful fats.
Our dietitians have developed a week's worth of unique Flat Belly Diet-approved meals and snacks that are easy to prepare and ready in five minutes or less, so you can slim down without stress. Research shows that eating this way may put you on your way to weight loss success: A study commissioned by Prevention at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center found that overweight women who followed the diet for 28 days lost 8.4 pounds and nearly 2 inches around the waist. Choose four meals a day from this list (organized by MUFA so you can easily find a meal that suits your mood) -- and you'll save time, flatten your belly, and boost your health.
MUFA Olives
HUMMUS, OLIVE AND TOMATO Spread 2 tbsp. hummus on each half of a toasted whole wheat English muffin. Top each half with 5 thinly sliced olives and a slice of tomato. Have 1 medium orange. Total calories: 362
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD Toss 1/2 c chickpeas, rinsed and drained, with 1/2 c halved cherry tomatoes, 1 chopped cucumber, 10 large black olives, and 1 tbsp.. lemon juice. Serve with 1 toasted large whole wheat pita. Total calories: 398
WAFFLES FLORENTINE Prepare 2 whole grain waffles and spread with 2 tbsp. black olive tapenade. Top with 1/2 c egg whites, scrambled in cooking spray, and 3/4 c spinach leaves. Have 1/2 c green or red grapes. Total calories: 393
ROAST BEEF SANDWICH Toast 2 slices whole wheat bread and spread with 2 tbsp. green olive tapenade. Top with 3 oz. organic deli roast beef. Have 1 medium pear. Total calories: 400
GRAB & GO CHEESE & CRACKERS Mix 1/2 c fat-free cottage cheese with 1 c chopped red bell pepper and 10 sliced large black olives. Serve with 6 small whole wheat crackers. Have 1 medium apple. Total calories: 378
SPANISH-STYLE EGGS Fry 1 whole egg with 1 egg white in 1 tsp. olive oil. Place on top of 1/2 c salsa and 10 sliced large green olives. Eat with 6" whole wheat tortilla. Total calories: 383
MUFA Nuts & Seeds
ALMOND BUTTER WITH FRESH FRUIT SPREAD 1 slice whole wheat bread with 2 tbsp. almond butter. Eat with 1/2 c each sliced strawberries and sliced kiwifruit. Total calories: 350
MANGO WALNUT SALAD Top 3 c spinach with 1/2 c chopped mango, 1/4 c sliced red bell pepper, 4 chopped baby carrots, 2 tbsp. walnuts, 2 tbsp. vinaigrette, and 1 tbsp. raisins. Eat with 1/2 large whole wheat pita. Total calories: 395
HAZELNUT PEAR CRACKERS Spread 4 RyKrisp crackers with 2 Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb Wedges and top with 1 sliced medium pear and 2 tbsp. hazelnuts. Total calories: 383
CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS Spread 6 Bibb lettuce leaves with 2 tbsp. hummus and top with 3 oz. sliced grilled chicken and 2 tbsp. walnuts. Also have 1 c raspberries and 6 small whole wheat crackers. Total calories: 405
TAHINI TUNA PITA Blend 3 oz. can chunk light tuna, drained, with 2 tbsp. tahini, 2 tbsp. chopped parsley, and finely shredded 1/2 small carrot. Stuff into 4" whole wheat pita. Total calories: 364
SUMMER TOMATO SALAD Layer 1 c arugula with 2 sliced tomatoes, 2 oz. thinly sliced part-skim mozzarella, and 5 thin slices red onion. Dress with 2 tbsp. pine nuts; 1 tsp. olive oil; and balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Total calories: 391
MUFA Avocado
AVOCADO TOMATO HERBED WRAP Spread 1 whole wheat wrap with 2 Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb Wedges and fill with 1 sliced small tomato, 1/4 c sliced Hass avocado, whole basil leaves, and 1 tsp. balsamic vinaigrette. Total calories: 367
AVOCADO MANGO SALAD Mix 1 cubed mango with 1/4 c diced Hass avocado and 2 tbsp. minced cilantro. Squeeze with juice of 1/2 lime and sprinkle with ground red pepper. Serve with wedges of 1 toasted large whole wheat tortilla. Total calories: 367
DIJON EGG SANDWICH Scramble 1/2 c egg whites in cooking spray. Place on toasted whole wheat English muffin spread with 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard and top with 1 oz. reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese and 1/4 c cubed Hass avocado. Total calories: 386
AVOCADO BRUSCHETTA Spread 2 slices toasted whole wheat bread with 1/4 c sliced Hass avocado, mashed, and top with 2 sliced small tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Have 1 medium apple. Total calories: 374
SOUTHWEST VEGGIE BURGER Fill 1 whole wheat bun with 1 black-bean veggie burger, 1 c mixed baby greens, 1/4 c canned corn, 1/4 c sliced Hass avocado, and 2 tbsp. salsa. Total calories: 383
MUFA Oils
CHEESY BEAN DIP Mix 3/4 c rinsed and drained kidney beans, mashed, with 1/4 c diced onion, 1 tbsp. walnut oil, and 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with 1/4 c shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese and microwave on medium until cheese is melted. Serve with 1 c sliced red bell pepper for dipping. Total calories: 389
SIMPLE SALMON SANDWICH Mix 3 oz. canned boneless, skinless wild salmon, drained, with 1/4 c chopped red bell pepper, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Top with romaine lettuce leaves and serve on whole wheat roll. Total calories: 413
ITALIAN TUNA Blend 3 oz. can chunk light tuna, drained, with 1/4 c chopped red onion, 2 tbsp. capers, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Serve with 4 RyKrisp crackers. Total calories: 346
SESAME SLAW Mix 2 c broccoli slaw with 1/4 c red bell pepper slices, 1/4 c chopped canned water chestnuts, 1 segmented medium orange, 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar, and 1 Tbsp. sesame oil. Total calories: 348
GREEK LENTIL SALAD Mix 1/2 c canned lentils, rinsed and drained, with 1/4 c each chopped tomato, chopped cucumber, and chopped red onion; 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar; and 1 tbsp. canola oil. Sprinkle with 1/4 c crumbled feta cheese and 2 tsp. dried oregano. Total calories: 383
MUFA Dark Chocolate
CHERRY CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE In a blender, combine 1 c fat-free milk, 1 c frozen cherries, 3 oz. fat-free vanilla yogurt, and 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips. Mix until smooth. Total calories: 402
GRAB & GO CHOCOLATE CHERRY TRAIL MIX Toss together 1/2 c whole grain O's cereal, 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips, and 1 oz. dried cherries. Drink 1/2 c fat-free milk. Total calories: 429
STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE COTTAGE CHEESE Sprinkle 1 c fat-free cottage cheese with 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips and 1/4 c sliced strawberries. Sprinkle with chopped mint leaves. Total calories: 379
CHOCOLATE BANANA BLAST Mix sliced 1/2 small banana and 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips with 6 oz. container unsweetened fat-free Greek-style yogurt. Total calories: 352
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY OATMEAL Mix 1/2 c dry oats (cooked with water to desired consistency) with 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips and 1 c raspberries. Total calories: 419
BLUEBERRY WAFFLE Top 1 frozen whole grain waffle, toasted, with 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips and place in toaster oven or oven set to 350°F to slightly melt chips. Top with 1/4 c blueberries and 2 oz. fat-free vanilla yogurt. Total calories: 350