Most people experience water retention or bloating at some point or another. Eating certain foods or health conditions can increase it. It leads to increased water storage in your body, leading to increased weight, bloated feeling and overall feeling heavy. Wonder how you can avoid or reduce it. We have tips for you, on how you can reduce your bloating belly.
Note, that these won't reduce the fat! For that, you need to get on a proper weight loss plan. Read below for tips to reduce the bloating
- Reduce salty foods - Salt contains sodium. Water molecules are attracted to sodium, so you'll retain more fluids if you pour on the seasoning or eat lots of processed foods. Examples of high salt (or high sodium) foods are pickles, chips, many canned foods, processed foods- excess sodium is added to increase shelf life.
- Soft Drinks - The gas content (carbonation) in soft drinks can cause bloating. Alcohol, coffee and some fruit juices also can cause intestinal irritation and swelling, so stick mainly to water and unsweetened teas that will help your body flush out waste products.
- Eating certain Vegetables - Broccoli, cabbage, kidney beans, onions and peppers are top examples of healthy foods that contain difficult-to-digest carbohydrates, which can cause gas. Even if you're susceptible, don't stop eating these vegetables; try limiting servings to a half cup at a time. Cooking raw veggies also helps. (Wonder if people on raw food diets are really gassy?)
- High Fat foods - Fried dishes in particular take a long time to digest. That's why it may feel heavy and bloated. Aim for healthy fats such as salmon, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
Some more tips: - Avoid chewing gum- it promotes intake of air into the digestive tract. - Eating slowly helps digest your food better - Lactose intolerance can also cause bloating.