Dairy Products and Belly Fat

Does anyone know, maybe from personal experience, if there is any truth to needing lots of dairy products to help lose belly fat?  If so, how much is enough?  Is it just for the calcium, which I could get some of from a supplement?  I dislike using too many of my daily calories for dairy products, but my pudgiest area is my stomach.  Much of that, though, is probably due to stretched out skin from 5 pregnancies!  I could get my calcium elsewhere, if that is the main idea.  Maybe it is just the dairy industry's way of getting me to buy more?

Make sure you are getting enough dairy in your diet, eat the daily recommended amount, most people don't because they are "too fattening". Dairy products are good for you. I tend to like the organic kinds because I think they taste better. Also, Talk with your Doc, or a nutritionist, they can help you come up with a plan that is right for you.

Dairy will not help you lose belly fat. I remember the study saying that it *prevents* a good amount of the calories you eat to store as fat in your body. I absolutely think its true, I drink 4 ounces of milk with each meal and the weight has been coming off more quickly (because I'm storing less fat, I suppose).

And wow, five pregnancies! After one I barely have the discipline to lose weight, I can't imagine four more! More power to you!!!

Yes, it is just about the calcium, but doesn't have to do with belly fat, just fat burning in general.

It turns out that calcium plays a role in the fat burning process, so if you're getting plenty of calcium, your body will be more likely to burn fat for energy. The study in question though, was partially funded by the dairy industry, which may have influenced the findings....

 

There is an article with more detail here: http://www.webmd.com/news/20000417/calcium-lo w-fat-diet, which elaborates on the summary below:

• According to a recent study in mice, a diet that includes low-fat dairy products can aid weight loss.
• Researchers say this is because calcium stored in fat cells plays an important role in fat storage and breakdown.
• Current recommendations encourage men to consume 1,000 mg to 1,200 mg of calcium per day and women to consume 1,000 mg to 1,300 mg daily.

I doubt it helps with belly fat, but I do know of a study where people who ate low calorie yogurt every day as a snack lost more weight than people who didn't.

here's an aricle from dr. oz:

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slid eshow1_ss_oz_20070917_350/6

i read this about 6 months ago and i started taking a calcium supplement, and i did notice a difference...

i recently switched from webbers naturals to an organic brand (new chapter)... it's supposed to be easier for the body to absorb calcium from plant material rather than limestone (i emailed webbers to ask what their source was)

it's only been a week or so, but my tummy does seem less grumbly ;)