Syracuse University alum Cynthia Sass has collected a triumvirate of degrees, including a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees (one from USF), and her mission in life is to get bellies flatter. Similar to the Mediterranean Diet, the Flat Belly Diet (Sass is a straight shooter) focuses on decreasing consumption of red meat and increasing the consumption of fibrous foods and monounsaturated fats. This sort of thing is hardly mind-blowing (really, I should eat more vegetables and less meat!?) but good advice nonetheless.

According to Philly.com:

According to Cynthia Sass, creator of the Flat Belly Diet, foods with monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) are the key to a slimming your midsection. “We’re starting to see certain types of fats affect the body differently, and monounsaturated fatty acids may help reduce or prevent belly fat accumulation,” she says. With a basic Mediterranean diet in mind, consider incorporating items from these five categories into calorie-controlled meals:

Olive oil, sunflower and safflower oil: Incorporate these MUFA-rich oils into light salad dressings, grilled veggie dishes and vegetable stir-fry.

Nuts and seeds: These can be used in any meal – simply add them to oatmeal or cereal, salads or sandwiches. Sass recommends adding seeds or pine nuts to chicken salad or tuna salad for a fun twist. Also consider nut butters, like almond and cashew, but avoid any with partially hydrogenated oil.

Avocado: Avocados are typically mashed or sliced, so add them to a breakfast sandwich or wrap for some added flavor and satisfaction.

Dark chocolate: Don’t miss an excuse to have chocolate – melt and drizzle dark chocolate over fruit or nonfat Greek yogurt. If you want a quick snack, toss a few dark chocolate chips in a bag and eat them on the run.

Olives: As a versatile food, olives can be sliced and added to pasta dishes, sandwiches, vegetables, whole grain pizza and even eggs.

More importantly, a study recently completed after eighteen years of research found that those following a Mediterranean diet are:

-Less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
-Less likely to get cancer
-Less likely to die from heart disease

So if you’re looking for longevity, cut back a bit on the late-night Wendy’s runs.