Imagine that you are being so diligent with your healthy eating. You plan your meals, your food combinations are perfect; you are basically following exactly what I talk about in my blog “Burn that Belly Fat”. You are feeling SO GOOD except for one small exception …  your stomach bloats every time you eat.

AHHHH! You begin to get frustrated and wonder to yourself, “What’s going on?” You can’t see those tight abs you have been working so hard for because of your gassy, bloaty belly. You begin to look at your eating journal and see your oatmeal, eggs, broccoli, cabbage, an occasional coffee.  Sounds pretty healthy… right?

What exactly is going on when you bloat? The article, “Gas: Beat the Bloating” by Natalie Egan of Brigham and Womens Hospital; mentions your colon contains bacteria and fungi that break down foods, especially hard to digest carbohydrates. It is the fermentation of these hard to digest foods that cause the gas; some of which foods may be difficult to digest due to lack of the right enzymes.  A good example of this is diary products if you are lactose intolerant, of which, you are missing the enzyme lactase.

Common foods that cause bloating, according to the article “Foods to Avoid if you Have Ulcerative Colis” by Amanda MacMillan of Health.com:

  • Carbonated beverages
  • Spicy, fried or fatty foods
  • Broccoli, cabbage, onions
  • Beans
  • Apple or prune juice
  • Dried fruits
  • Coffee and Tea
  • Dairy
  • Whole seeds, especially the tiny ones in fruits like strawberries
  • Fatty meats
  • Alcohol, white wine being better for your belly then red wine

Last thing you want to do is avoid eating some of these foods. Never eating broccoli is not a good idea. So follow these steps:

  • Don’t eat so fast
  • Drink your beverages at room temperature
  • Exercise
  • Sit up straight after your meals
  • Take a walk after eating

Finally, if your bloating persists, do some research on over the counter products such as “Beanos” which are enzymes to help break down certain types of foods. Depending on the severity, go visit your doctor, as your may have a condition such as Ulcerative Colis.

Bloating is not fun and it always occurs at awkward moments. Try these tips and rid that bloat so you can show off those tight abs once again!

Scott Elliott
www,koolbody.com
selliott@koolbody.com