10
Flat Belly Tips: How to beat bloating?
Avoid Constipation.
Too little fiber, fluids, and physical activity can lead to constipation,
which can result in bloating, expert says.
To avoid this, eat a diet high in fiber (25 grams per day for women and 38 for
men) from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Also,
drink plenty of fluids (aim for 6-8 glasses a day) and aim for physical
activity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.
If you're eating a low-fiber diet, gradually bump up the fiber level, making
sure you also drink plenty of fluids for better tolerance.
Rule Out Wheat Allergies or Lactose Intolerance.
Food allergies and intolerances can cause gas and bloating. But these need
to be confirmed by your doctor. Many people self-diagnose these conditions and
unnecessarily eliminate healthy dairy and whole grains from their diets. If you
suspect you have an allergy or intolerance, see your doctor for tests.
You may benefit from reducing the amount of the suspected food or eating it
with other foods. In the case of dairy, it can help to choose aged cheeses and
yogurts, which are lower in lactose.
Don't Eat Too Fast.
Eating quickly and not chewing your food well can cause air swallowing that
leads to bloating, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of
The Flexitarian
Diet.
So slow down and enjoy your food. Your meals should last at least 30
minutes. Also, keep in mind that digestion begins in the mouth and you can
decrease bloating just by chewing your food more, Blatner says.
There's another benefit to slowing things down. When you take your time to
thoroughly chew and taste your food, your snack or meal becomes more
satisfying. And studies have shown that if you eat more slowly, you may end up
eating less.
Don't Overdo Carbonated Drinks.
The fizz in carbonated drinks (even diet ones) can cause gas to get trapped
in your belly, Expert says.
Instead, drink water flavored with lemon, lime, or cucumber. Or just reduce
the number of fizzy drinks you consume each day. Try some peppermint tea for a
soothing beverage that may help reduce bloat.
Don't Overdo Chewing Gum.
Chewing gum can also lead to swallowing air, which can cause bloating.
If you've got a gum habit, alternate chewing gum with sucking on a piece of
hard candy or eating a healthy, high-fiber snack like fruit, vegetables, or
lower-fat popcorn.
Watch Out for Sugar-Free Foods.
"Many of my patients suffer from bloating because they consume too much
sugar alcohol in artificially sweetened foods and drinks," Blatner says.
And that can lead to bloating.
Experts recommend consuming no more than 2 or 3 servings of artificially
sweetened foods and drinks per day.
Limit Sodium.
Highly processed foods tend to be high in sodium and low in fiber, both of
which can contribute to that bloated feeling, expert says.
Get in the habit of reading food labels, Blatner advises. When buying
processed, canned, or frozen foods, shoot for no more than 500 mg of sodium per
serving in any product -- or a total of 1,500 to 2,300 mg of sodium per
day. Look for labels that say "sodium free," "low sodium,"
or "very low sodium."
Go Slow with Beans and Gassy Vegetables.
If you're not used to eating beans, they can cause that gassy feeling. So
can the cruciferous family of vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
and cauliflower.
That doesn't mean you should give up on these super-nutritious, high-fiber
vegetables.
"Don’t be nervous about beans," Blatner says. "Just work them
into your diet slowly until your body adjusts to the compounds that can
initially cause gas."
Or, you can take an anti-gas product, which can help reduce gas from beans
or vegetables.
Eat Smaller Meals More Often
Instead of three big meals per day, try eating smaller meals more often.
This can keep you free of the bloated feeling that often follows large meals
(think Thanksgiving). Eating more frequently can also help control blood sugar
and manage hunger.
So go for five to six small meals each day, but make sure the quantity of
food and calories are proportionate to your needs. To create a daily meal plan
that includes the recommended amounts of all major nutrients, visit the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's MyPlate web site.
Try Anti-Bloating Foods and Drinks.
A few studies suggest that peppermint tea, ginger, pineapple, parsley, and
yogurts containing probiotics ("good" bacteria) may help reduce
bloating.
"These are safe foods that are good for you when used appropriately, so
why not try them and see if they help you de-bloat?" Blatner says.