First things first. You must understand that the fat around your belly area in regards to how you develop and lose this fat is different compared to the rest of your body. This would explain why you may have been losing weight,losing inches off your waistline, but still got a pooch!

Part of the reason why it is difficult to lose belly fat but yet so easy to gain it, besides the fact that belly fat is very stubborn, is that around your belly area cortisol is being released and stored as fat. High cortisol levels is due to high stress.

Strictly doing crunches and other abdominal workouts will not lose belly fat. These exercises build and develop your abdominal muscles. You have to lose the fat on top of those muscles in order for them to show.

So, in order to effectively lose belly fat, you are going to have to incorporate a good cardio plan into your workout to aide in burning fat, you're also going to have to prevent high levels of cortisol being released by implementing stress reduction techniques, and you are going to have to have a sensible diet along with eating 6 small meals a day to help in increasing your metabolism to burn off fat.

The following are the 25 best flat belly foods listed in no particular order, that you should add into your diet.

Avocado

Olives

Olive Oil

Fish Oil

Almonds

Low Fat Cottage Cheese

Skinless Chicken Breast (Grilled, Baked)

Whey Protein

Tuna

Salmon

Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Limes, Lemons, Tangerines, etc.)

Apples

Soybeans

Garlic

Peppers (Cayenne, Chilli)

Berries

Asparagus

Whole Grains (Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Whole Wheat Pasta, Wild Rice)

Cabbage

Beets

Carrots

Apricots

Yams (Or Sweet Potato - Fresh-Not Canned)

Spinach

Kiwi

The above foods are rich in specific fat fighters such as monounsaturated fat, omega 3 fatty acid, protein, fiber, and a plethora of other key vitamins and minerals that will aide in successfully burning off unwanted belly fat and complete body fat for that matter.

Remember, eat 6 small healthy meals daily, get 7-9 hours of sleep, drink plenty of water, exercise...correctly and consistently, and have a proper diet with a strong emphasis on the foods above for not just to lose belly/body fat, but also for overall health.