How Can You Reduce Bloating In the Summer?
Feeling bloated is the worst! We’ve all been there and often the cause for a suddenly distended belly is a mystery. Was it something you ate? Is it hormonal? Maybe that side of hummus was not a good idea? While being bloating is really NBD, it is uncomfortable. We all want to look and feel our best, especially when hotter weather means getting cozy in a chunky sweater is not really an option. The good news is that the secret to beating bloat may be in eating more food. Yep, that’s right. It’s as if summer knows we’ve got a beach vacay in mind. The season’s bounty is virtually designed for helping a belly deflate. Here are nutritionists’ top picks to reduce bloating.
5 Fruits & 1 Veggie To Reduce Bloating
Cucumber’s Can De-Puff
You know how cucumbers are great for de-puffing eyes? Well, that can have the same effect on your stomach. That’s because they contain an antioxidant called quercetin, which is shown to reduce swelling, but that’s not all. “They are also loaded with water, vitamin C, and a smidge of sodium, which band together to keep you hydrated and help prevent water retention and bloating,” said Emily Rubin, R.D., a clinical dietitian at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia to Women’s Health.
Banana’s Can Help Balance Excess Sodium
Bloating can be caused by consuming too much salt. The body retains water to help balance out the excess sodium and that leads to … bingo. That’s why foods rich in potassium like bananas, kiwis, and avocados can help. Potassium helps to regulate sodium levels thus reducing bloating. What’s more, bananas also have soluble fiber, which is a known bloat fighter. “Bloating can also be caused by constipation,” said nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD to Time. “If you’re not able to eliminate waste in the GI tract, you become ‘backed up’ so to speak, which can lead to a bloated look.” Even if you don’t have time to get fresh bananas, checkout out our delicious dried bananas and take them anywhere.
Kiwi’s Have An Enzyme That Helps Digestion
In addition to containing potassium, there’s another reason to add kiwi to your diet. The fruit is also rich in actinidin, a natural enzyme that helps digest protein and prevents bloating,” said Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D.N., author of Body Kindness.
Papayas Help Break Down Fiber
Papaya’s secret superpower is also where it gets its name. The fruit contains the enzyme Papain, “an ace at breaking down fiber, which can cause gas if it’s not digested well, said Maoshing Ni, PhD, who practices traditional Chinese medicine and is the author of Secrets of Self-Healing to Health. When buying papaya make sure to select organic fruit since this is a fruit that is often genetically modified.
Asparagus: The Superfood for Reducing Bloating
Asparagus does more than make your pee smell weird. It’s also a diuretic, which means it will make you urinate more frequently. In fact, it’s known by nutritionists as an anti-bloating superfood for helping to flush the system. Asparagus is also a prebiotic, “which increases the probiotics in your digestive system. The healthier your gut, the less bloating you’ll ultimately experience, says Christy Shatlock, R.D. at bistroMD to Women’s Health.
Watermelon Has Diuretic Properties To Reduce Bloating
We’ll take any excuse to eat more melons! Watermelon is a good one for beating bloat because it’s 90 percent water, which means it helps the body realize it doesn’t have to hang on to the excess water. Watermelon has natural diuretic properties, nutritionist David Grotto tells Fitness magazine, and is a good source of potassium. That makes it a beat-bloating triple threat.
