How To Shrink Your Stomach In 2024: 6 Best Tips For You

mitchelle morgan
by

Reviewed by Maya Frankfurt, PhD
how to shrink your stomach
You can shrink your stomach in six ways. Photo: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Each article is created without any external influence. When you use our provided links to buy products, we receive a commission as an affiliate. To understand how we generate revenue, please read our advertising disclaimer.

If you research how to shrink your stomach, you may come across many interesting ideas. Belly fat can be a source of concern regarding your health and well-being. Often, the visceral fat accumulates over time and can lead to different health risks.[1]

Finding ways to reduce abdominal fat is essential to living a healthy life. Here, you will learn how to shrink your stomach. In addition, we explain how long it takes to shrink your stomach. You will find ways on how to naturally shrink your stomach.

6 Most Effective Ways To Shrink Your Stomach

  • Create a healthy eating plan.
  • Become physically active.
  • Opt for bariatric surgery.
  • Eat fewer calories.
  • Get an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
  • Drink enough water.

Six Best Ways To Shrink Your Stomach

Having a big stomach can be a source of discomfort. making it hard to fit into your favorite clothes and move comfortably. In addition, having visceral belly fat is bad[1] for your health. That’s why it’s essential to master ways to shrink your stomach.

Create A Healthy Eating Plan

The food you eat daily is essential to your health and wellness.[2] That’s why it’s crucial to master healthy eating and develop a good diet plan to shrink your stomach. Often, visceral fat[3] accumulates when there is an imbalance between excess calories and energy used.

Keeping track of your meals is the first step towards weight loss. A good meal plan can help you in your weight management[4] journey.

Try planning all your meals in the coming week. After that, prepare those meals and stick to your healthy eating plan. Eating healthy is a great option if you’re wondering how to shrink your stomach without surgery.

Cut Out Refined Carbs

Cut out refined carbs[5] from your meals as you work on a healthy diet to shrink your stomach. Often, processed foods have more calories than unrefined options. That’s why it’s better to stick to whole grains that add fiber to your diet.

Examples of whole grains to add to your meals include whole buckwheat, brown rice, barley, and oats. A low-carb diet[6] can include some high-fiber foods such as whole grains. Studies show that soluble fiber works to slow down food digestion, so you end up eating less.

Eat More Protein

Less carbohydrates and more protein is a good option as you work towards losing weight. There are many health risks associated with visceral fat, so working to shrink your stomach is vital. Eating more protein helps you feel fuller for longer.

The body requires the hormone peptide YY[7] to feel fuller for longer. Eating more protein facilitates the release[8] of this hormone, thus promoting satiety during the day. In addition, protein increases your metabolic rate,[9] which burns more fat.

Proteins that can be added to your meals include lean meats, eggs, low-fat dairy, and whey protein.

Eat Small Amounts Of Food

how to shrink your stomach
Active lifestyle can help shrink your stomach. Photo: ViDI Studio/Shutterstock

Every day, the stomach expands and contracts when you eat food. It acts more like a balloon filling up with air. The stomach must expand to accommodate the food and liquids you consume, thus changing its physical size.

Eating smaller portions and drinking fewer liquids can have an impact on the size of your stomach. However, it’s not a significant change in size, so consider surgery[10] for major alterations.

Frankly, eating small amounts of food can also work to reduce belly fat. While you won’t lose weight overnight, you can have less belly fat after a certain duration.

Opt For Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery[11] or weight loss surgery is another way you can shrink your stomach. People who are obese benefit from bariatric surgery. However, surgical procedures only become an option when other ways to lose weight are unsuccessful.

Bariatric surgery modifies your small intestine and stomach. At the end of the procedure, you consume fewer calories. Such surgical procedures[10] are a long-term solution to obesity when diet and exercise aren’t fully effective.

Types Of Bariatric Surgical Procedures

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is one way to remove abdominal fat and reduce your tummy. In addition, the procedure reduces the length of your small intestine. People who undergo gastric bypass[12] end up eating fewer calories daily.

Generally, people who are clinically obese are the best candidates for gastric bypass. It’s a good solution for weight-related health risks such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Gastric Sleeve

A gastric sleeve surgery is a good option to lose weight and reduce abdominal fat. During the procedure, the surgeon reduces the size of your stomach by up to 80%.[13] In its place, they leave a tubular sleeve similar in size and shape to a banana.

By reducing the size of your stomach, you eat less, and your body absorbs fewer calories. It’s a good strategy to reduce weight gain and lower visceral fat.

Getting a gastric sleeve[14] helps deal with a whole host of health conditions that plague people who are overweight. Examples of such health conditions include osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Eat Fewer Calories

To manage body weight, focus on a calorie deficit for weight loss. Here are a few ways to do this.

Small Portions

On top of eating fewer calories, small portions are a good weight loss strategy. Portion control is a good way to shrink your stomach. However, you must ensure you eat enough to keep hunger at bay.

Small portions[15] can work well to reduce abdominal fat. Also, eat more fresh vegetables and herbs. Make at least half your plate contain low-calorie, non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, turnips, and beetroot.

In addition, opt for lean protein that promotes feeling fuller for longer. If possible, cut out carbs. But, if you must have a small number of carbs, stick to whole grains that are super nutritious.

Lastly, get smaller plates and bowls[16] to ensure you eat small portions during every meal. Small plates are a constant reminder to eat fewer calories to shrink your stomach.

Eat Slowly

A slower eating pace during meals can help you lose weight and reduce abdominal fat. There’s evidence that eating too fast can lead to weight gain. Eating fast causes you to eat more than you would if you ate slowly.

Take time with each bite to chew and savor the food before you. Eating slower[17] increases levels of the fullness hormone ghrelin in your body. Higher ghrelin levels indicate that you are full, which slows down intake.

Get An Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty[18] is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that physically shrinks your stomach. Once in the stomach, the suturing apparatus sutures your stomach to reduce its size. If you are considering the gastric sleeve, you must discuss this in detail with your doctor first. Generally, the procedure is for people whose body mass index[19] is above 30 and who have difficulty losing weight without the procedure.

Drink Enough Water

how to shrink your stomach
Water helps you to eat less. Photo: Hananeko_Studio/Shutterstock

Consider having a glass of water before and after your meals. Drinking enough water[20] plays a crucial role in reducing belly fat.

It’s not uncommon to grab a sugary drink with your meal. However, sugary drinks like juices and sodas are notorious for weight gain.[21] Instead, choose water as your drink as you work towards losing weight.

Drinking water helps you lose weight since you end up eating smaller meals and feel fuller longer. Water is also a calorie-free drink that’s an excellent pick when focusing on calorie deficit. But, it’s worth noting that you may get a water weight increase on the scale.

How Long Does It Take To Shrink Your Stomach?

Have you been wondering how long it takes to shrink your stomach? Truthfully, it depends on several factors.

Your lifestyle choices can dictate how fast you shrink your stomach. You can curb weight gain by eating a healthy diet and being active. At the same time, you burn body fat and start to enjoy a leaner look.

Overall, to achieve effective weight loss requires adopting a healthier lifestyle for several weeks with consistency. It takes dedication to stick to a diet and working out consistently. However, with time, your body will adapt to a new lifestyle at a stable, slimmer stable requiring fewer calories.

Conclusion

Finding ways to lose weight when you want to shrink your stomach is important. Weight gain always leads to visceral fat accumulation in the tummy area. The good news is you can employ different strategies to reduce abdominal fat. At the top of the list is eating healthier food to lower belly fat.

Next, you must get active to burn more calories and reduce overall body fat. In addition, there are surgical options to reduce stomach size, like bariatric surgery. You also have the option of non-surgical procedures like endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.y weight loss methods, and supplements that don’t work. This is imperative to your physical and mental health, and also to your success!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to shrink your stomach?

Getting bariatric surgery is the fastest way to shrink your stomach. These procedures entail removing up to 80% of your stomach. As a result, you eat less, and the body absorbs fewer calories.

How can I shrink my stomach and decrease my appetite?

There are different ways to shrink your stomach and decrease your appetite. One way is to eat only healthy foods that boost weight loss. In addition, get active and incorporate aerobic exercises into your life.

What burns the most belly fat?

Cardio or aerobic exercises burn the most belly fat. Mixing aerobic exercises with a healthy diet will help reduce belly fat fast.

What foods shrink your stomach?

The best foods to shrink your stomach include lean protein, whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, non-sugary drinks, and unprocessed foods.

How to lose belly fat in 7 days?

Get active by starting an aerobic exercise routine. Reduce the amount of trans fats and refined carbs you consume. Drink enough water and enjoy restful sleep. Increase lean protein intake with every meal.

Can you naturally shrink your stomach?

Yes, you can naturally shrink your stomach. Start by changing what you eat and pick healthy food options. Reduce food portions and learn to eat slowly. Next, get active to lose weight.

How long does it take to shrink your stomach naturally?

Shrinking your stomach naturally takes longer than when you opt for surgery. It depends on the visceral fat amount and methods used to lose weight. Eating healthy and working out helps curb weight gain and burn fat.

Can you shrink your stomach using surgery?

Yes, you can shrink your stomach using surgery. Bariatric surgeries are used to reduce the size of your stomach and small intestine.

+ 21 Sources

EHproject has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  1. Yoon Hye Lee, Park, J., Min, S., Kang, O., Kwon, H. and Oh, S.-W. (2020). Impact of Visceral Obesity on the Risk of Incident Metabolic Syndrome in Metabolically Healthy Normal Weight and Overweight Groups: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Korea. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, [online] 41(4), pp.229–236. doi:https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.18.0122.
  2. Wahl, D.R., Villinger, K., König, L.M., Ziesemer, K., Schupp, H.T. and Renner, B. (2017). Healthy food choices are happy food choices: Evidence from a real life sample using smartphone based assessments. Scientific Reports, [online] 7(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17262-9.
  3. Konieczna, J., Morey, M., Abete, I., Bes–Rastrollo, M., Ruiz‐Canela, M., Jesús Vioque, González‐Palacios, S., Daimiel, L., Fiol, M., Martín, V., Ramón Estruch, Vidal, J., Miguel Ángel Martínez‐González, Sı́lvia Canudas, Jover, A., Fernández‐Villa, T., Casas, R., Romina Olbeyra, Buil‐Cosiales, P. and Babió, N. (2021). Contribution of ultra-processed foods in visceral fat deposition and other adiposity indicators: Prospective analysis nested in the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Clinical Nutrition, [online] 40(6), pp.4290–4300. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.01.019.
  4. Ju Young Kim (2021). Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome, [online] 30(1), pp.20–31. doi:https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes20065.
  5. Chawla, S., Fernanda Tessarolo Silva, Sofia Amaral Medeiros, Mekary, R.A. and Radenković, D. (2020). The Effect of Low-Fat and Low-Carbohydrate Diets on Weight Loss and Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, [online] 12(12), pp.3774–3774. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123774.
  6. Barber, T.M., Hanson, P., Kabisch, S., Andreas and Weickert, M.O. (2021). The Low-Carbohydrate Diet: Short-Term Metabolic Efficacy Versus Longer-Term Limitations. Nutrients, [online] 13(4), pp.1187–1187. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041187.
  7. Shota Moyama, Yamada, Y., Makabe Noboru, Fujita, H., Araki, A., Suzuki, A., Seino, Y., Kenichiro Shide, Kimura, K., Kenta Murotani, Honda, H., Kobayashi, M., Fujita, S., Yasuda, K., Akira Kuroe, Tsukiyama, K., Seino, Y. and Daisuke Yabe (2023). Efficacy and Safety of 6-Month High Dietary Protein Intake in Hospitalized Adults Aged 75 or Older at Nutritional Risk: An Exploratory, Randomized, Controlled Study. Nutrients, [online] 15(9), pp.2024–2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092024.
  8. Zapata, R.C., Singh, A. and Prasanth Chelikani (2018). Peptide YY mediates the satiety effects of diets enriched with whey protein fractions in male rats. The FASEB Journal, [online] 32(2), pp.850–861. doi:https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201700519rr.
  9. Pesta, D. and Samuel, V.T. (2014). A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: mechanisms and possible caveats. Nutrition & Metabolism, [online] 11(1), pp.53–53. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-11-53.
  10. Abdulaziz Arishi, Gosadi, I.M., Ibrahim Ali Hakami, Hussam Darraj, Faisal Abusageah, Hakami, K.M., Zaalah, S.A., Awaf, M., Rawan Maghrabi, Alamer, A.A., Hamdi, S., Mohammad Abdu Jareebi, Masmali, A.M., Hakami, G.H. and Najmi, W.A. (2023). Bariatric Surgery Reduces Weight Loss, Comorbidities Prevalence, and Improves Quality of Life in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia. Medicina-lithuania, [online] 59(10), pp.1695–1695. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101695.
  11. Azim, S. and Kashyap, S.R. (2016). Bariatric Surgery. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, [online] 45(4), pp.905–921. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecl.2016.06.011.
  12. Sandra, Lacerda, L., Jirjos, E.I., Carlos Alberto Malheiros, Sérgio Vencio, Lúcia, V., Robson, A., Felipe, L.A., Eduardo Araújo Perez, Eduarda, M., Kellen, S., Juliana, Miriã Cândida Oliveira, Adriano Luís Fonseca, Carlos, Rodolfo Paula Vieira, Insalaco, G., Freitas, W.R. and Franco, V. (2023). Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Improves Adiponectin to Leptin Ratio and Inflammatory Profile in Severely Obese Women with and without Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, [online] 15(15), pp.3312–3312. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153312.
  13. Miłosz Miedziaszczyk, Patrycja Ciabach and Edyta Szałek (2021). The Effects of Bariatric Surgery and Gastrectomy on the Absorption of Drugs, Vitamins, and Mineral Elements. Pharmaceutics, [online] 13(12), pp.2111–2111. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13122111.
  14. Tartaglia, N., Pavone, G., Mario Pio Germano, Russo, G., Pacilli, M. and Ambrosi, A. (2022). Relationship between residual gastric area and weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy: A Cohort study. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, [online] 73. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103177.
  15. Barbara Jean Rolls (2014). What is the role of portion control in weight management? [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264057031_What_is_the_role_of_portion_control_in_weight_management.
  16. Kosīte, D., König, L.M., De-loyde, K., Lee, I., Pechey, E., Clarke, N., Maynard, O., Morris, R., Munafò, M.R., Marteau, T., Fletcher, P.C. and Hollands, G.J. (2019). Plate size and food consumption: a pre-registered experimental study in a general population sample. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, [online] 16(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0826-1.
  17. Hawton, K., Ferriday, D., Rogers, P.J., Toner, P., Brooks, J., Holly, J.M.P., Kalina Biernacka, Shield, J.P.H. and Hinton, E.C. (2018). Slow Down: Behavioural and Physiological Effects of Reducing Eating Rate. Nutrients, [online] 11(1), pp.50–50. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010050.
  18. Jin Young Yoon and Román Turró Arau (2021). The Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty as an Alternative to Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. Clinical Endoscopy, [online] 54(1), pp.17–24. doi:https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2021.019.
  19. Md Asif Jalal, Cheng, Q. and Edye, M.B. (2020). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty with Comparison to Laparoscopic… [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340719084_Systematic_Review_and_Meta-Analysis_of_Endoscopic_Sleeve_Gastroplasty_with_Comparison_to_Laparoscopic_Sleeve_Gastrectomy.
  20. Bracamontes-Castelo, G., Montserrat Bacardi-Gascon and Jimenez-Cruz, A. (2019). Effect of water consumption on weight loss: a systematic review. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336861401_Effect_of_water_consumption_on_weight_loss_a_systematic_review.
  21. Luger, M., Lafontan, M., Bes–Rastrollo, M., Winzer, E., Volkan Yumuk and Farpour‐Lambert, N. (2017). Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review from 2013 to 2015 and a Comparison with Previous Studies. Obesity Facts, [online] 10(6), pp.674–693. doi:https://doi.org/10.1159/000484566.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mitchelle Morgan is a health and wellness writer with over 10 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Communication. Her mission is to provide readers with information that helps them live a better lifestyle. All… See More