As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. If that saying holds true, then diets full of unhealthy fats, calories and salt will make you look and feel bloated. For a slim-looking tummy, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. Eat and drink certain foods and beverages in moderation, like carbonated drinks and salty snacks, as well as certain vegetables, such as broccoli, a healthy treat that may also cause gas and bloating.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and nutrients, and they prevent your stomach from puffing up, thanks to the help of fiber and antioxidants. Fiber helps you feel full longer, which keeps the munchies at bay. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, work together to fight belly flab. Eat plenty of oranges, carrots, peaches and cantaloupe. Substituting the real thing with fruit or vegetable juices will not produce the same results.
Lean Protein
Just as fiber, protein helps you feel full longer and provides you with an extra boost of energy. Protein also helps to flatten your stomach. Choose lean sources of protein such as lean cuts of red meat, turkey, chicken, eggs and fish, as well as fat-free milk, vegetables such as beans, and whole grains. Nuts are considered another good source of protein; however, nuts are also known to have high amounts of calories and sodium, which will make you bloat. Eat no more than a handful of nuts a day.
Probiotics
When you think of bacteria, you may think of colds, flu and germs. Probiotic is a "good" bacteria that helps with digestion and fends off a bloated belly. Probiotics also help treat gastrointestinal ailments, including diarrhea and irritable-bowel syndrome, and they help prevent urinary-tract infections in women. Foods that feature probiotics include yogurt, fermented or unfermented milk, certain juices and other beverages. Look for labels that say "contains live and active cultures" when choosing products with probiotics.
Peppermint Tea
To stop bloating or an upset stomach in its tracks, drink peppermint tea. Peppermint leaves are used to cure a variety of ailments including indigestion, irritable-bowel syndrome and flatulence, as well as menstrual cramps and diarrhea. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, peppermint helps ease stomach muscles and boosts the flow of bile, which helps your body digest fats better. Pregnant women and those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease -- or GERD -- should avoid peppermint leaves and tea.
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