Most of us realize that it's essential to stay away from deep fried stuff, carbs, and fast food. But did you realize that there are some foods that may be contributing to your overweight abdomen that you might not have thought of?

Sometimes people may have a sensitivity to dairy foods that really shows no other symptoms other than increased girth around the abdomen. The same goes for wheat products. If you are wondering if you may have a food sensitivity, check with your family physician.

And while we're on the subject of health, have you considered that there may be other factors involved that make it even harder than most for you to lose abdominal weight?

For example, there are hormonal imbalances that can cause weight gain. If hyperthyroidism runs in your family, you may want to check and see if that is affecting you as well. A low thyroid is not always detected and can actually slow down your metabolism, making it almost impossible to lose stomach fat.

Problems digesting sugars can be another culprit. if you think that you may have low or high blood sugar, or if diabetes runs in your family, you should consult your doctor and make sure your sugar is balanced.

Did you know that living with a lot of stress and anxiety can actually cause fat to accumulate around the belly region? It's true. When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol and other hormones that puts your body into a state where fat is stored around your middle. If you notice that you are over stressed much of the time, try to incorporate relaxation into your daily life. Things like yoga, meditation, and tai chi can really help.

You also want to consider your family history and the kind of body shape you were born with. If your parents, siblings, and grandparents carried around extra large tummies, this may be the case with you as well.

If you have inherited your large belly, try to improve your posture as much as you can. Standing up straight is said to take off about ten pounds visually. You can also dress in figure flattering clothes, such as bell bottoms and longer tops. Avoid tight low waist jeans and belly baring shirts at all costs, as these only serve to make your tummy look even more pronounced.

If you feel you've done all you can as far as diet and exercise and you are in good health, but you still cannot seem to lose your muffin top, you may want to look into having a surgical procedure such as a tummy tuck or abdominal liposuction. Plastic surgery is a permanent weight loss solution, and should be carefully considered and researched before doing it.

The good news is that no matter how large or how long you have had a muffin top, there are simple things you can do starting today to make it appear less prominent. Start with good posture and figure flattering clothes. Work up to a moderate exercise program such as walking at least three times a week. Even small steps like this can make a really big difference when it comes to minimizing a large tummy.

If you have had it with an excessive amount of abdominal weight, take heart. With knowledge and determination, you really can lose your muffin top.