Nothing is more annoying than belly bloat. Even though bloat makes you feel uncomfortable and renders it just about impossible to zip your skinny jeans, it’s usually not serious. It can be due to a variety of reasons, including eating too fast, eating too much, or drinking through a straw. All of these can lead to gas buildup in the tummy that can spell trouble.
Another common cause is our food choices; both healthy and not so healthy foods can cause belly bloat. Knowing the reasons why certain foods do this will enable you to reduce the chance of an extended tummy in the future.
Legumes
You know what I’m talking about—beans! Dry beans and lentils also contain raffinose. Like with cruciferous vegetables, start off with small portions and slowly build up the amounts you eat. Taking a digestive enzyme such as Beano can help you digest carbohydrates found in legumes, reducing bloating related to bean consumption. Products containing simethicone, an over-the-counter medication to treat painful pressure, fullness, and bloating are useful products for reducing gas bubbles.
Carbonated beverages
Any beverage containing carbonation—soft drinks, beer, energy drinks—can give you that uncomfortable belly bloat feeling as a result of swallowing too much air. The fizz in carbonated drinks (even diet drinks) can cause gas to get trapped in your belly. Belching can help but no one will be impressed and the bloating will still linger afterwards. To combat bloat cause by carbonated beverages, reduce the number of these drinks you intake and opt instead for water with lemon, lime, or cucumber for a refreshing and healthier treat.
Greasy foods
High-fat foods can make you feel very bloated. The reason is that fat takes longer to digest, which slows down the rate at which your stomach empties into the small intestine.
That’s why a large, greasy meal of a double cheeseburger and large fries can make you feel like the Goodyear blimp. Next time, make healthier food choices and reduce your portion siz
Other tips on reducing belly bloat
Smoking is a nasty habit and it can also lead to belly bloat. When a person sucks in the excess air as smoke when inhaling from a cigarette, it can build-up as belly bloat. The answer—quit smoking.
Slow down when eating—eating rapidly causes air to get trapped in the stomach.
Ditch drinking through a straw. This can lead to more air being trapped inside your stomach causing extension.
Eat more probiotic foods to maintain a good balance of good gut bacteria that can help relieve abdominal discomfort.
Drink extra water as this can help move the process of digestion along quicker beating belly bloat.
Exercising on a regular basis—30 to 60 minutes every day—may help reduce bloating. The increased blood flow to your gut can keep digestion running more smoothly.
Slow down when eating—eating rapidly causes air to get trapped in the stomach.
Ditch drinking through a straw. This can lead to more air being trapped inside your stomach causing extension.
Eat more probiotic foods to maintain a good balance of good gut bacteria that can help relieve abdominal discomfort.
Drink extra water as this can help move the process of digestion along quicker beating belly bloat.
Exercising on a regular basis—30 to 60 minutes every day—may help reduce bloating. The increased blood flow to your gut can keep digestion running more smoothly.
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