You hear it everywhere, especially in the gym, the ultimate magical way to get ripped abs. They come in a variety such as diets, training regimens, and personal trainer secrets. Some of these methods are accurate ways to get 6-pack ads, others are pure hype. However, if you’re really going to get ripped abs, you’ve got to learn to separate the wheat from the irritation, so to speak, or you’ll never achieve your goal.

Let’s separate truth from fiction and exaggeration. The bottom line is that your diet is a crucial component to getting those ripped abs. One of the truest mantras in the fitness business is that ‘abs are made in the kitchen’. If you’re not eating ‘ab food’ your tummy won’t lie!

So, you ask, what should I be cooking in my abdominal kitchen?

Well, for starters, it should be no secret that protein is king. Protein not only provides the major building tools you need to build muscle, but it will satisfy those hunger pangs much better than feasting on carbohydrates. Protein King is more expensive than any additional macronutrient which, broken down, simply means the body will burn more calories eliminating protein rather than carbs and fat.

Our next point is that you don’t have to avoid dietary fats that are derived primarily from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, fish oil, or a variety of nuts, plain peanut butter (preferably the kind you make in a health food store straight out of the peanuts) or my favorite; avocado. It’s a true statement that consuming fat will pack calories quickly, but if you retain 20-30% of it, it can also be one of the best paths to achieving 6-pack abs fast. It’s key that dietary fat helps keep insulin at a steady point, because if it’s too high, it can cause the addition of fat on its own.

It is important to note that dietary fat makes you feel satisfied with hunger for a longer period of time than protein and carbohydrates. Interestingly, some high-fat diets will result in ripped abs quickly as your body, being the good student it is, will learn to metabolize fat for energy. You need to keep an eye on it, but be sure to include some fat in your diet. Always keep in mind that when it comes to eating carbs and getting those ripped abs, you’ll definitely want to have them after your workouts. The reason is simply that this is when your body really needs carbohydrates intensely and will therefore absorb them faster into your muscle tissue. This is the time when carbs are least likely to turn into body fat.

When you eat carbs after your workouts, you’ll aid in the repair and recovery of your muscle tissue, which means you can get back to the gym much faster.

Since we know you want those perfect abs as fast as possible, be sure to include a cup or two of fresh, raw vegetables with each meal, which help control insulin levels, speed up protein absorption, and imbue your body with important vitamins. minerals, natural fibers and critical antioxidants.

The bottom line here, guys and gals, is that if your main goal is to get ripped abs in the next few months, you need to pay close attention to your diet. This is the magic potion you can’t ignore if you’re going to succeed in your quest!