I Flattened My Belly by Eating Foods with This 1:1 Ratio

Achieving a flatter belly can feel like an impossible task, but I discovered a strategy that helped me make meaningful progress: balancing the sugar-to-fiber ratio in my meals. However, I quickly learned that this alone wasn’t enough. To truly see results, I had to pair this approach with mindful calorie control and balanced nutrition. By following a 1:1 sugar-to-fiber ratio and making other key adjustments, I managed to reduce cravings, feel more energized, and flatten my belly. Here’s how I did it—and how to avoid the mistakes that might hold you back.

What is the 1:1 Ratio?

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The 1:1 sugar-to-fiber ratio ensures that your meals provide as much fiber as they do sugar. To calculate it, I checked the nutrition labels on foods, comparing grams of sugar to grams of fiber. For example, if a food had 5 grams of sugar and 5 grams of fiber, it was balanced. If it had more sugar than fiber, I either skipped it or paired it with a high-fiber food to even things out.

This balance slows sugar absorption, helps manage hunger, and prevents energy crashes—but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Without controlling portions and calories, it’s possible to overeat even "balanced" foods and stall your progress.

I Started My Day with Fiber-Packed Breakfasts

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Breakfast was the first meal I tackled. Instead of sugary cereals, I switched to oatmeal with almond butter and berries, which gave me sustained energy and kept me full until lunch. Another favorite was a veggie-packed omelet paired with whole-grain toast.

However, I also made sure to monitor portion sizes. While these options were healthy, eating too much—even of nutrient-dense foods—can lead to excess calorie intake. Measuring portions and sticking to a reasonable serving size made all the difference.

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Snacks Became My Secret Weapon

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Snacks used to derail my progress, leading to overeating later in the day. By applying the 1:1 rule, I found options that satisfied my cravings and supported my goals. Greek yogurt with chia seeds and apple slices became a go-to snack.

I learned that even healthy snacks can add up in calories, so I focused on small portions and avoided mindless munching. Pairing naturally sweet foods with fiber-rich additions, like nuts or seeds, helped me feel full without overindulging.

Balanced Dinners Made the Biggest Impact

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For dinner, I prioritized meals with lean proteins, vegetables, and high-fiber carbohydrates. A grilled salmon salad with chickpeas, avocado, and olive oil dressing became a favorite.

To stay on track, I avoided common pitfalls like oversized portions or high-calorie sauces. I also planned my meals to ensure I was eating enough protein, which kept me feeling satisfied and supported fat loss.

How I Ensured the Ratio Worked

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To stick to the 1:1 ratio, I paid close attention to nutrition labels and made small, strategic swaps. Foods with more sugar than fiber—like white bread or sugary drinks—were replaced with whole-grain bread or unsweetened teas. Pairing naturally sweet fruits with fiber-rich options like nuts or seeds balanced my meals easily.

I also tracked my overall calorie intake to ensure I was in a deficit. While the 1:1 rule helped me make better choices, calorie awareness was essential for consistent results.

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Why the 1:1 Ratio Works Long-Term

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This method isn’t just for short-term results—it’s a sustainable way to eat. Whether dining out or cooking at home, I maintained the 1:1 ratio by focusing on balance and moderation.

However, the key to long-term success was pairing this strategy with mindful calorie control, regular exercise, and sufficient protein. By focusing on these broader principles, I was able to transform my relationship with food and unlock a healthier, happier life.

Key Takeaways:

1. The 1:1 sugar-to-fiber ratio is a helpful guideline, but it’s not a magic bullet.
2. Watching portion sizes and staying in a calorie deficit are essential for fat loss.
3. Pair this approach with adequate protein and exercise to maximize results.

By avoiding the common pitfalls of overeating or relying too heavily on ratios alone, I found a balanced, effective way to achieve my goals—and so can you. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Losing weight and achieving your fitness goals can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it's entirely possible. Denise Hamdam, a fitness enthusiast who successfully lost 30 pounds and completed a body recomposition, shares her weight loss journey and the key strategies that helped her transform her physique in a new TikTok video. From calculating macros to following a high-protein diet and implementing an effective workout routine, Denise's experience offers valuable insights for anyone looking to embark on their own fitness journey. Let's dive into the methods she used to achieve her impressive results.

I Started by Calculating My Macros

"The first thing I did when I realized that I wanted to change the way I look was I used a macro calculator, and for those who don't know what a macro calculator is, it's basically when you just put your weight, height, activity level and gender into this calculator and it gives you an amount of calories and protein to eat to get the body you're looking for," Denise says in the video.

I Tracked My Calories

"The next thing I did on my weight loss journey was to track calories. A lot of people might find this controversial and say that you should eat intuitively, which basically means just eating depending on what your body needs. However, as a beginner or someone who wants to ensure that they see results, I do recommend tracking calories just because it makes us very aware of the things we consume daily that may not be the best for us," Denise says in the video.

I Focused on Single-Ingredient, High-Protein Foods

"After I got the eating right and I figured out what I needed to eat every day to get the body that I wanted, I had to develop a nutritional plan. It consisted of a single ingredient: high protein and low calories. Often, what I mean by single ingredient high protein options is that I do not mean a Quest protein bar. I do not mean a Fairlife protein shake. I mean eggs, Turkey, chicken, just single ingredient things that contain a higher amount of protein with a lower calorie," she says.

I Created a Workout Plan

"Next, the very important thing I did on my weight loss journey was construct a workout plan that had me in the gym five to six days a week. A workout split consisted of cardio and abs twice a week, eggs and glues twice a week, upper body one day and a free cardio day, and then a rest day," Denise says.

I Used Progressive Overloading

"What do I mean by progressively overloading? Good question. That means when you are over time, increasing the weights on the workouts that you're doing. So, let's say I'm doing bicep curls, and I start at age 15. Let's say I'm a month in, and I'm like, oh my God, this kind of feeling a little light. Then I move to 17.5 for another month. Now, I am moving into my twenties. You're progressively getting heavier, and that causes your muscles to grow," she says.

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I Followed the 80/20 Rule

"Lastly, a big thing that helped me on my weight loss journey is following the 80/20 rule. What is the 80/20 rule? That's another really good question. The 80/20 rule is a nutritional thing, and it's basically the concept that 80% of the time, you are eating foods that are high protein, low calorie, healthy, and will help you achieve your goals, and 20% of the time, you're eating whatever … you want," Denise says in the video.

I Aimed for a Calorie Deficit with High Protein

"So in the video, it says to eat plenty of protein, but overall eat less food, and with that, it just means to be in a calorie deficit and within that deficit eating a lot of protein. The tricky part is knowing how much protein to eat every day," she says.

Here's What I Eat in a Day

"To start my day, I had my skinny iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks. When I got home later, I made a yogurt bowl and a Turkey bacon sandwich…. Later in the day, I made a Turkey wrap using the Chitter Joe's Buttermilk Ranch dressing, and it's literally my new favorite thing," Denise says in another video.

"After that, I took my creatine, and I take two tablets twice a day. Later, I had the Core Power chocolate shake. I've never had it before, but it's low-key my new favorite flavor. For dinner, I had the beef and broccoli stir fry from Trader Joe's. The sauce that came with it was kind of fattening, so I used the teriyaki sauce from PF Chang's instead. And finally, for dessert, I had some ice cream and a fiber bar. I ended my day with around 1,700 calories and 123 grams of protein," Denise says.

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Another Day of High-Protein Eating

"I was super busy today and did not have a lot of time to make breakfast, so I quickly made some protein iced coffee and topped it off with some cold foam. For the actual food, I made two eggs and some turkey sausages. For lunch, I decided to make a tuna salad sandwich. I don't know about y'all, but I do not let the texture of plain tuna by itself, so I decided to chop up some celery to make it more crunchy. It actually ended up being super good, though, and I added some light mayo as well. With that, I had a Greek yogurt bowl, some granola, and honey," Denise says.

"For a pre-workout snack. I had some of my favorite Himalaya popcorn because I've been so obsessed with this stuff to feel my workout. I had an oxy-shredded energy drink, and I've never tried this stuff before, but I literally had the best workout ever because of it. For a post-workout snack, I had a chocolate Fairlife shake. And finally, for dinner, I decided to make some protein spaghetti because I was trying to search for a protein spaghetti recipe and literally found nothing, so I made it myself. And lastly, for dessert, I had some Halo Top because I could not end the day without a sweet treat," she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.