This should come as no surprise: too much added sugar (not just processed sugar) can lead to weight gain, including in your belly, especially if you reach for sodas or fruit juices. Research shows that an increase of sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to more belly fat.
You probably already know to limit the typical sources of sweets, but you also need to pay attention to your labels for other sources of added sugars. Registered dietitian Jeanette Kimszal said that added sugar can make its way into "healthy" foods like granola, breakfast bars, yoghurt, and nut butters. "Having no added sugar is optimal, but striving for only 25 grams (six teaspoons) a day is recommended for those who want to lose belly fat," she told POPSUGAR. "If you have a health condition, you may want to limit your sugar intake to 15 grams (four teaspoons) a day."