While it may be tempting to use your stomach compression belt as a corset over the holiday period, remember that it can also be combined with a healthy diet and exercise regime to give you a longer-lasting appreciation of your silhouette. As difficult as it can be to lose weight when everyone you know is stuffing themselves full of cakes, cookies, and huge winter casseroles, the truth is that you can approach January feeling fit, looking slim, and 100% ready to tackle the new year ahead.

Though achieving a slim stomach over the holiday period is largely dependent upon your understanding of portion control, core exercises, and your commitment to your stomach compression belt, it can also depend on the foods you choose during the festive period. There are some holiday foods for a slim stomach that can actually boost your metabolism, and improve your chances of unwrapping an incredible body this year. Following, we've listed just a few of our favorites, but feel free to supplement your own ingredients and recipes if you feel you know something we don't!

1.    Chicken Soup

If you're roasting a chicken for the big holiday meal anyway - why not make use of the leftovers in a way that will support your weight loss regimen? Soups have a significantly large water volume, which means that they're satisfying, fill up your stomach, and leave you feeling satiated even though you've only consumed a few calories. When it comes to comforting ways to slim your stomach, there's few things better than a hot bowl of chicken broth.

If finding holiday foods for a slim stomach isn't your only aim this winter, it might also help to learn that there's been some evidence to show that chicken soup can help you recover faster from colds too!

2.    Butternut Squash

Winter squashes like the indulgent butternut version, are fantastic for filling your stomach up with helpful fiber. If that's not enough, they're also a great low-calorie option when you're looking for something to place on your plate alongside your helping of low-fat meat. Per cubed cup, butternut squash measures in at around 63 calories - meaning you get a great meal, without having to loosen your belt. Butternut squash is also a fantastic source of a substance called "beta-carotene", and vitamin C - antioxidants proven to help support your immune system during the winter months, so you can get the most out of the holiday season.

For a tasty way to slim your stomach, simply roast your squash to bring out it's natural sweetness, or whip them up into a wonderful pre-dinner soup.

3.    Brussel Sprouts

Okay, so they may not be your favorite part of the festive season - but they're definitely a tradition. Even if you're not a huge lover of Brussel sprouts, you should probably try forcing a few down anyway, since they're just so fully-packed with awesome benefits. Not only does a portion of ten sprouts provide 7 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein - making them one of the most filling veggies you can eat - but they also give you everything you need for only eighty calories.

If you're struggling to find a way to make these buds of healthy delight more edible, try one of these recipes - you're sure to find at least one that works for you.

4.    Oatmeal

Just because it's the festive season doesn't mean you should be eating cookies for breakfast. Oatmeal is by far one of the most comforting and satisfying winter breakfasts. It's like a warm hug for your stomach - particularly when you add in wonderful toppings like banana slices and walnuts. On top of that, when you're looking for holiday foods for a slim stomach, it helps to know that oatmeal is brimming with prebiotic fiber - a type of fiber known for feeding good bacteria in your stomach, and changing the way your body stores fat.

A healthy bowl of oatmeal before you strap on your stomach compression belt can also help to balance your blood sugar, and release hormones that control your experiences of hunger, and fullness, making ways to slim your stomach even easier.

5.    Pomegranate Seeds

Feeling snacky in between meals? Ignore the voice in your head telling you to reach for the sweet treats covered in sugar and brimming with saturated fats - they're there to poison your attempts to slim your stomach. Instead, try grabbing a handful of arils or pomegranate seeds. These delicious nibbles act as a wonderful secret weapon for weight loss thanks to their huge fiber content.

Aside from the fiber factor that makes you feel fuller for longer, these holiday foods for a slim stomach are also very low in calories, and incredibly easy to extract from the fruit itself. Don't forget to stock up on the juice too, for an extra dose of antioxidants.

6.    Pears

Finally, pears might not be a food that you only eat during the festive season, but they certainly show up in a lot of winter deserts. Two of the most common variations available in winter - Anjou and Bosc, are brimming with fiber, with one fruit offering about 6grams - 25% of your daily recommended amount. Most of the fiber is in the skin, however, so make sure that you don't peel them if you want to slim your stomach.

For an added benefit before you work out using your stomach compression belt, add a handful of almonds to a chopped up pear - this will balance the sugar content in the fruit, and help to curb cravings for junk food throughout the remainder of the day, meaning that you're more likely to stick to healthy habits.

Holiday Foods for a Slim Stomach

We know that sticking to a healthy lifestyle during the festive period can be difficult - but that doesn't mean that walking away from winter with a flat stomach isn't possible. Try adding a few of the ingredients listed above to your diet this year, and see how you feel when January comes knocking.