Summer is just around the corner. This means sun, sand, bikinis, beers and oops, a higher chance of bloating. According to an online dictionary, bloating means to expand, or distend, or cause to swell. The University of Maryland Medical Center also defined abdominal bloating as, “a condition in which the belly or abdomen feels full and tight, or your belly looks swollen or distended.”
When you are in a bikini or wearing a fitted shirt, the last thing you need to have is a puffy belly. It is uncomfortable, embarrassing and yes, it ruins your beach body. The good news is there are different ways to de-puff the poach.
Bloating may be due to poor digestion, your upcoming period or too much sodium. Whatever the reason is, one thing is for sure: what you eat plays an important role on whether or not you will have a puffy belly.
Carbonated drinks, salty foods and beer are no-brainer that you need to stay away from to reduce bloating. Before you hit the beach or put on that skimpy dress, here are 10 bloat-reducing foods you should include in your diet.
1. Dandelion
Don’t you just love a dandelion flower? It may look like a sunflower’s sister, but the flower has its own way of lighting up a dull room.
But hey, did you know that dandelion greens could lighten up your belly, too? In a good way, of course.
The truth is dandelion greens are prebiotic. It is nutrient dense and used as an anti-inflammatory treatment for many years. This is because the dandelion root stimulates the production of gastric enzymes, which aids in digestion. At the same time, the greens are a diuretic, making it effective in kicking the puffiness away.
Unfortunately, dandelion greens are bit harder to find. When you find some, boil dandelion root and leaves and drink it as a tea or sprinkle it on your salad or favorite dishes.
2. Ginger
Ginger has lots of uses, don’t you think? Aside from being a staple ingredient in your home, ginger is also one of the best natural treatments for almost any kind of illness. If you want to get rid of the bloat, then ginger can help you, too.
Ginger is anti-inflammatory. At the same time, it is a powerhouse digestive aid, making it an excellent go-to food against a bloated belly. And the best thing about ginger is that it is so common, it is easy to add in your daily diet.
Making a homemade tea or ginger lemonade could do the trick. Since it is easy to include in your regular diet, don’t forget to add ginger on your salads and smoothies to reduce bloating.
3. Asparagus
Admit it. You love that bacon-wrapped asparagus. It may be the reason why you are adding this veggie on your diet. Regardless of how you eat it, asparagus is one of the excellent ways to banish the belly bloat.
Believe it or not, this green super food acts as a natural diuretic, which means it could make you pee. Fortunately, peeing facilitates the removal of water and waste inside your body, thereby reducing bloat and belly discomfort. Aside from this, asparagus is prebiotic too, which means it can increase probiotics in your digestive system, allowing better food absorption, minimizing gas, and bloating.
Go ahead and make that bacon-wrapped asparagus. If you want to keep it healthy, grilled asparagus on the side or chopped asparagus on your salads are one of the ways to include it in your diet.
4. Lemon
How many times have you seen lemon as part of the natural treatments list? Most of the time, right? This is because this tiny yellow oval fruit has tons of benefits, making it an effective treatment for almost any condition.
Aside from its vitamin C content, lemon is also natural detoxifier that could help your digestive system flush out any toxins and wastes. One lemon equates to 11 calories too, so you don’t have to worry about weight gain. See, it’s a win-win situation.
Lemon works best in lukewarm water. After every meal, chug some lemon water to help you de-bloat and at the same time, curb any sugar cravings. If you want some boost inside the bathroom, then drinking lemon water first thing in the morning get things moving, too.
5. Celery
Do you know why celery is a favorite in many detox juices?
For many years, this crunchy green stalk acts as a digestive aid to regulate and facilitate bowel movements. It also control intestinal gas and reduced fluid retention.
Why is that so?
Celery has high water content that can purge your body of toxins, making it an excellent ingredient if you want to detox. However, there is a tendency to cook it for easier digestion. Unfortunately, cooking could break down the fiber structure of celery, which could add up to bloating. Try your best to eat it raw. You can also juice celery and combine it with other anti-bloating ingredients such as cucumber and banana.
6. Apple cider vinegar
One of the best foods ever discovered is apple cider vinegar. For sure, your mom probably told you to take a teaspoon of this everyday, since it could solve many health conditions. Well, you mom was right.
If you constantly lied and told her you had a sip, just so she could stop nagging, then now is the time to fix things and start taking apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar stimulates the production of gastric enzymes in your body. This helps break down food and makes it easier for you to digest it. As a result, you can say bye-bye to bloating.
Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water and drink it first thing in the morning, or at least during your beach day. You can also mix it in salad dressing if you don’t like the smell.
7. Green tea
Aside from lemon, green tea is also a favorite in the natural treatments department. It helps you lose weight and treats certain conditions, which is why the Chinese and Japanese had consumed it since ancient times.
Plus, have you seen Chinese women who belong on the bigger side of the scale? Not too many, right?
Aside from being an excellent tool for weight loss, green tea is also an excellent way to reduce belly bloat. Think about this – cold and iced drinks cause spasms in the digestive tract. This means your body puts a lot of its energy to digest the food.
Green tea boosts your metabolism. Unlike caffeinated drinks, warm green tea won’t make you increase gas, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Instead of ordering a tall frappucino from Starbucks, drink green tea instead. It won’t add up to extra pounds.
8. Cucumber
You probably heard of cucumber as an excellent eye bags remover. Aside from making you look a lot less like a panda, did you know that cucumber could reduce puffiness in your belly, as well?
Cucumber is high in silica, caffeic acid and vitamin C. These three components reduce swelling and prevent water retention. Aside from de-puffing your eyes, cucumber could help lessen bloating. Plus, it is one of the staple ingredients in detox juices because of its ability to clear out any toxins inside your body.
Add cucumber in your water for quick and simple fix. Or before you put on that fitted dress for next week’s party, a chilled cucumber soup prior to the trip could do the trick.
9. Fennel
What do you usually think of when you hear the word, fennel? Breast enhancement? Libido booster? Check out any breast enhancing pills or female libido pills and you will surely see fennel as part of the ingredients.
Aside from giving you a boost, both up there and down south, fennel is also one of the un-sung heroes when it comes to digestion. This herb relaxes GI spasms that cause gas and bloating, an occurrence that usually happens after every meal. Chewing fennel seeds after or drinking a cup of tea at the end of every meal can reduce bloating.
You can also add fennel in your meals and juices in case you are not a tea drinker.
10. Black coffee
Caffeinated drinks are notorious for making you bloat, which is why experts tell you to stay away from Starbucks and other drinks that can make you bloat. So, why is black coffee is part of the anti-bloating list?
The truth is, black coffee is the best-known natural diuretic. This explains why many people drink coffee after every meal to minimize the puffiness.
However, be careful with what you are putting into your coffee. Although it is a natural diuretic, artificial sweeteners can create chaos in your stomach, rendering black coffee ineffective.
As much as you can, stick to black coffee. It’s better for your body.
In other words, what you eat defines whether you will experience bloating or not. If you want to get rid of a puffy belly, then take note of these foods and try your best to include it in your daily diet.