Belly fat not only makes an ugly impression of the person wearing it, but also is an indicator of bad health.

So, everything boils down to having a healthy lifestyle by including a good diet, some exercise, good sleep and stress management, to have a healthy flat tummy.

The greatest cause for fat around belly in many Indian women is ‘Rice’. Yes. One of the main staple foods of Indians, Rice is rich in carbohydrates and causes a fattening of the area around the belly. Don’t stop eating it totally. Instead, switch to brown rice. A fiber-rich diet may help. Include beans, gourds, and cucumber in surplus in your diet. Even if you kept everything else the same but switched to brown rice or broken wheat, you might be able to better maintain your weight over time. Eat more of dal, vegetable and curd and reduce the intake of rice.

Jog, if you're already fit, or walk briskly at an incline on a treadmill if you're not yet ready for jogging. Vigorous workouts on stationary bikes and elliptical or rowing machines are also effective. Exercise probably has the most immediate benefits, because it gets at both obesity and stress.

Siestas are good, but not always. Try and avoid day time naps. Get a good 6-7 hours of sleep. Do not under sleep or over sleep. Both would contribute to belly fat.

A good exercise pattern complimented with a substantial sleep will facilitate stress management, in turn, helping you to trim that tiny paunch.

Flaunt that flat tummy next time in chiffon sari!

- Radha Krishnaveni