Most of us have delighted in a delicious meal, whose delight to our palette weaned when you start to feel bloated. This condition usually manifests when gas builds up in your stomach or intestines – all connected to the way your body breaks down food through the digestive processes. Overeating is the number one culprit, but foods that are hard to digest (like ones fatty or high in fiber) or ones that create bubbles in your intestines – like that bubbly drink – tend to bring it on too. Bloating can also occur when your body retains too much water, usually thanks to high-sodium food.
Whatever the trigger, puffing up is more than just annoying; it can slow you down and drain your energy. But it’s also easy to avoid if you stick to the right foods and learn a couple of easy “tricks” of the natural health professionals.
Beer is full of bubbles, which will leave you with a bloated belly – it’s also bloats more than other carbonated beverages. Research has shown that alcohol can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, especially that of candida yeast, which can leave you feeling inflated and brain-fogged.
- Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale & Cauliflower
Because these cruciferous veggies are extremely high in fiber they are often difficult for your body to break-down, therefore, causing gas/bloating because of gas in your GI tract.
Cruciferous veggies contain raffinose, a sugar that produces extra gas as it breaks down and can make you feel like you’re carting around some extra fluff. That said, veggies also bring a ton of nutritional benefits to the table, so there’s no reason to swear off them completely. If you’re prone to bloating, lightly steam your vegetables—the heat will help break-down some of the fibers, so your body doesn’t have to do all the work.
If you’re lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy (many of us are to some degree), you may notice that milk products cause you to feel bloated. When your gut bacteria break down milk, it releases gas, which can lead to that uncomfortably full feeling. There’s an easy way to figure out if milk and cheese are the culprits behind your bloat: Try an elimination diet for two weeks and see if you feel better eating dairy-free…
Besides the bubbles, diet sodas are laced with artificial sweeteners that your body doesn’t have the capacity to digest. Research found these sweeteners disrupt the microbiota (your body’s natural balance of gut bacteria), which can lead to a bigger belly, both short and long term…not to mention the toxic effects of the chemical sweeteners which are Neurotoxins.
They don’t call beans the musical fruit for nothing. Legumes require a big effort to break down. As your body works overtime digesting the sugar and fiber, it produces more gas in your gut, which can leave you with a bad case of bloat. But that shouldn’t be a reason to completely cut the superfood out of your diet. After all, it’s a great source of protein, iron, and folate. If you’re having a big meal, which can already lead to swelling, it’s probably best to steer clear of things like beans and edamame.
Chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy, causes most people to swallow more often—and part of what you’re swallowing is air. All that extra air can back up in your digestive tract and leave you feeling bloated. Sugar-free gum is a particularly bad offender. Like diet soda, most sugar-free gum contains artificial sweeteners that are difficult for your body to break down and can cause you to feel gassy…AND…are toxic.
Food Solutions, Naturally
Potassium acts to reverse the gut-busting effects of sodium. Reaching for a potassium-packed fruit, like a banana, can regulate your body’s sodium levels and banish that salt-induced bloat.
Fennel seeds are your friend when it comes to digestion. In addition to being a diuretic—meaning they cause you to pee and flush out excess water weight—they also have a compound that may quiet digestive issues. If you’re not into the idea of brewing a cup of fennel tea, you can easily sneak it into just about any meat or pasta dish as a stomach-soothing spice.
Bloating can also be caused by water retention, which your body does when it’s in fear of dehydration. Ironically, the way to flush the excess water is by drinking more and eating water-filled foods. Watermelon is not only a good flush, it’s also a great source of potassium.
Peppermint is a great stomach soother, and studies have shown that peppermint oil can help fight cramping and gas. So next time you eat food that you know makes you gassy, try sipping on a cup of peppermint tea afterward. NOTE: Keep in mind if you use Homeopathic Remedies that any genre of mint will dilute/neutralize the medicinal effects of Homeopathics so allow at least an hour before/after any mint product before using Homeopathic remedies.
Cucumbers are your belly’s best friend when it comes to bloating. These watery veggies contain quercetin, which is anti-inflammatory and may reduce the swelling.
“Flat Tummy Water” Recipe:
6 cups filtered water
1 TB grated ginger
1 Cucumber, sliced very thin
1 Lemon or Lime, sliced very thin
½ cup mint leaves
Allow mixture to infuse overnight. Drink the entire recipe all the next day.
Papayas are packed with an enzyme called papain, which has been shown to put a stop to digestive troubles. Papain can help break-down proteins in your GI tract, making it easier to stomach food that’s tough to digest.
Ginger has long been praised for its digestive benefits. Both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, it’s been shown to fight everything from aging to the big bad bloat. Sip a cup of ginger tea or chew on some raw ginger post-feast.
Non-food Solutions, Naturally
At the first sign of heartburn, indigestion, gas, or bloating:
- Dissolve one teaspoon of Baking Soda in a little warm water and drink. In addition to helping your symptoms, it quickly alkalizes your body.
- My “go to” for indigestion or heartburn is Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) that contains the “mother” – the probiotic foamy substance at the bottom. Especially if you’re consuming a high-fat meal, dilute 1 TB. of ACV in about 2+ ounces of water (I use a shot glass) and drink in the middle of your meal. ACV forces your stomach to naturally produce its own hydrochloric acid to break-down the food you consume.
Closing Thoughts and FREE Consultation OFFER…
- If you experience frequent gas/bloating/constipation/diarrhea or other intestinal and digestive disorders, consider a FREE 15-minute consultation with me to investigate whether your issues need further professional guidance and dietary modifications. This consultation is open ONLY to subscribers. Please be sure to make a list of symptoms, medications/supplements you currently take and comments on the questionnaire, this allows me to maximize the allowed time. Send an email request for FREE consultation to: drgloriagilbere@gmail.com along with the completed questionnaire. My staff will reply with a date and time – I place the call in 19 countries. Please include the following in your email request:
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