People ask me all the time how they can get their abs to look as defined as mine, assuming that I will give them an abdominal exercise regimen which will deliver guaranteed abs of steel. Instead, I tell them that what they eat is the key to whether their midsections look like washboards or more like barrels. While it is true that some abdominal muscle development is necessary for that chiseled look, I will never advocate ridiculous amounts of abdominal crunches, especially for the average person, nor will I overlook the importance of diet.

I admit that I am a bit of a genetic freak in the abdominal department, and have even forgone training my abs for many months at a time in an effort to get those crosscuts to flatten out a bit. It is also a rare thing for me to blast my abs with an extensive routine. But I also know that if I eat a lot of bad foods over the span of several days, my abs will go into hiding and all those deep cross cuts will disappear. So when I say that diet is key, and that abs are made in the kitchen, I know first hand that this is the truth.

What are the foods one must avoid in order to maintain good abdominal definition? Here is a list of some of the worst offenders:

SUGAR and all sugary foods
Saturated fat in general
Cheese
Processed meats
Any foods with a high salt content
Breads and wraps made with white enriched flour
Alcohol

I can guarantee that if you are eating these foods regularly, you will never see chiseled abs pop to the surface, no matter how many abdominal crunches you do. If you stick to clean foods, you will have a much better chance of coaxing that abdominal definition to come out. Stick to lean meats, fresh vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado, and make sure to drink plenty of water.