Anti-Bloating Diet

Anti-Bloating Diet
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Bloating is not a permanent condition. Unfortunately, bloating makes it look like you've gained weight, especially in the stomach. No one wants to look bloated or even feel bloated. An anti-bloating diet involves getting rid of a few bloating foods and beverages from your diet, and replacing them with fat and water flushing foods so that you can look your best in no time.

Cause of Bloating

There are many different causes of bloating, one of which is a person's diet and what types of foods he eats. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic states that smoking and stress can also cause a person to become bloated. The Mayo Clinic states that irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance are two other causes of bloating, which are disorders affected by a person's diet and inability to digest certain foods.

Common Offenders

The foods that cause gas and bloating most often are usually carbohydrates, according to the Mayo Clinic. Foods like baked beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce often cause bloating. The Mayo Clinic states that even fibrous fruits like apples and pears can sometimes cause bloating. For people who are lactose intolerant, consuming milk or other diary products leads to bloating, among other symptoms.

How to Eat

The Mayo Clinic recommends eating very slowly to prevent bloating. It explains that chewing thoroughly and taking your time when eating means you swallow less air, so you are less likely to be bloated. And drinking from a cup rather than a straw can help to prevent bloating, states the Mayo Clinic. Avoiding foods like hard candies and gum can also prevent excess air from getting into your digestive system.

What to Eat

Tanya Zuckerbrot, a registered dietitian and author of "The F Factor Diet," explains to Fox News that foods high in potassium, like kiwis, bananas, spinach and strawberries, help to reduce bloating. This is because potassium reduces the effects of salt, a major cause of bloating. Tanya also recommends eating foods that are high in vitamin B6, like tuna and chicken breasts, to reduce water retention and flush out extra water weight.

Beverages

In addition to foods, beverages are another important part of an anti-bloating diet. The Mayo Clinic states that carbonated beverages like sodas and even sparkling water can cause bloating. Instead of drinking soda, Tanya Zuckerbrot recommends drinking eight glasses of water every day, because that water helps you to feel full but can actually help you to get a flatter stomach.

References

Article reviewed by Craig Gaines Last updated on: Mar 11, 2011

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