8 foods to beat bloating

It’s winter and as we try to stay warm, we often stay inside and can fall victim to overeating. By the time spring rolls around, we find our clothes are tight and we’re looking bloated.

We’ve all experienced that sensation of fullness and swelling in the abdomen. This feeling is not only uncomfortable but also may affect our mood. So why does it happen and how can we stop it?

Bloating is caused by natural processes during digestion, and is typically triggered by the accumulation of fluid or production of gas in the body. Sometimes, though, bloating isn’t caused by too much gas, but how the body handles that gas instead.

There is some good news, however: if you’re prone to puffing up, you can feel like yourself again with some healthy food choices.

Here are the 8 best foods to ward off bloating:

Rice

Believe it or not, rice is a good type of carbohydrate and is able to be fully digested in the small intestine, limiting its ability to create gas in the stomach.

Banana

While bloating can be caused by gas, it’s not always the culprit – high sodium could be to blame. A lot of today’s processed food contain high levels of sodium and potassium in bananas can counteract this. If you’re bloated from last night’s dinner, eat a banana for breakfast.

Raw honey

This stuff is liquid gold and is great for so many things, particularly its gas fighting abilities!

Yoghurt

Make sure you purchase a yoghurt that has active cultures. Regularly consuming yogurt with active cultures increases lactobacillus and bifidobacterium (the “good” bacteria) in the digestive tract, which facilitates awesome digestion and prevention of bloat. The best source is plain, non-fat or low-fat yoghurt.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea can sooth inflammation of the stomach and restore the digestive tract and relieve muscle contractions.

Cucumber

If you’re already bloated, cucumbers can slim you down again. The high water and low fibre content of cucumbers can cause increased urination and can soothe the stomach.

Papaya

This bright orange fleshed fruit is nature’s laxative and helps in the movement of the bowels, which can aid in relieving bloating.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is great at cutting through fat and also stops flatulence.

Gassy foods to avoid:

• Beans and lentils
• Asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and other vegetables
• Fructose – found in artichokes, onions, pears, wheat, and some soft drinks
• Lactose – milk and dairy products
• Fruits, oat bran, peas
• Corn, pasta, potatoes, and other foods rich in starch
• Artificial sweeteners found in gum, sugar-free sweets and sugar alternatives
• Whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat

Other tips for stopping bloating:

• Eat vegetables cooked instead of raw. Cooking helps break down some of the fibre
• Don’t combine high-gas foods with high-fat foods. For example, eat a burrito without the beans and cheese.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. This helps keep your digestive system functioning smoothly and cuts down on the production of gas.
• Eat slowly and chew your food well
• Take probiotics – found in yoghurts or supplement form

Tell us, do you have any other solutions for beating the bloat?