Full disclosure: There are no fast fixes for melting stomach fat. There's no magic cure, formula, or pill. But there are foods you can eat that are beneficial to your body whether you are trying to lose weight or you are improving your overall internal health. There is a certain class of food that do not contribute to the storage of fat around your middle.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and several others contain certain compounds that indirectly dissolve belly fat. How can this be? Cruciferous vegetables contain specific and unique symphony of phytonutrients called Indole-3-carbinol (IC3). IC3 is the subject of on-going biomedical research into its possible anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, and anti-atherogenic effects. Specifically, scientists are conducting research on the effects of IC3 in reducing breast cancer because it inhibits estrogen activity.

An excess of estrogen that is not in proportion to progesterone can be a factor in weight gain, especially in women. How does this happen? Every human being, men and women alike, experience hormonal imbalances throughout different stages in their lives. Apart from it being the natural progression of aging, there are contributing environmental factors that cause hormones to be whacked out of balance.

We are bombarded by environmental estrogens, also called xenoestrogens or estrogen mimickers. These man-made chemicals act exactly like estrogen in the body. Xenoestrogens are found everywhere - in your body lotion, in plastic, dairy products, makeup, cleaning products, and the list goes on. We are a society that is environmentally estrogen dominate and it's ruining our bodies.

Cruciferous veggies are a good bet in the battle of the bulge. IC3 is not the only benefit from eating these powerhouse veggies. They are low in calories, a good source of fiber and protein, loaded in minerals, slowly digested, and are low on the glycemic index which means that consumption of cruciferous vegetables will not spike insulin - the hormone that triggers the storage of fat.

What's not to like about cruciferous veggies? Eat your veggies and know that it's another no-brainer in fighting that muffin top, while working to balance your hormones. It's a win-win!

How do you prepare your veggies? Do you have a go-to recipe that's a crowd-pleaser? Pop on over to the forum and let us know.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and the articles I write are intended to increase your knowledge about the subject. It’s always a good idea to check with your personal doctor before changing your diet or starting a new fitness routine.