We’ve all been there. You’re gearing up for a night out or a fancy event and your belly is not co-operating. Bloating does not do wonders for confidence rocking that tight dress so here’s a few tricks to beat the bloat and keep your tummy nice and flat.
1. Fennel seeds
Munching on a small handful of aromatic fennel seeds can help relieve uncomfortable gas. Pineapple or parsley sprigs also do the same job by decreasing water retention.
2. Stay away from the fizz!
Fizzy drinks, diet drinks and beer, can cause gas to become trapped in your belly, so give them a miss. To ease an already bloated tummy, sip on peppermint or ginger tea or kick off the morning with a glass of hot water and freshly squeezed lemon.
3. Potassium
Foods that are rich in this electrolyte act as a diuretic, helping to flush excess fluid out of your system. Try ripe bananas, pistachios, prunes, live probiotic yoghurt, rockmelon, mango, tomato and baked sweet potato.
5. Exercise
It goes without saying that regular exercise is the best way to rid yourself of bloat in the long-term. Exercise gets things moving and burns fat too – win, win!
6. Avoid some vegetables
Avoid vegetable like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage or onion when you’re gearing up to go out. Obviously, these foods are good for you but if you’ve got a bloating problem, the high quantities of fibre in them can make you very gassy. Especially if you’re not used to eating them on a regular basis.
7. Chew, Chew, Chew
If you chew your food a lot before you swallow, it’s easier for your body to digest and less likely to cause belly problems.
8. Don’t be a salt shaker
Excess sodium is a known belly offender. Steer clear of highly processed meals, canned soups, fast food, chips and cured meats.
9. Curb the carbs
Consuming refined carbohydrates like white pasta, bread, rice and cereal can leave a painful, distended tummy. To be on the safe side, avoid these leading up to a big night out. Instead, switch to wholegrains, watch your portion sizes and always include protein alongside carbs to help reduce the potential for bloat.
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