
Get Rid of Bloating
To get rid of bloating doesn’t seem easy, and in fact, it isn’t, but there are strategies that can help you achieve it.
You know very well that there are foods that don’t make you feel good, you’re trying to establish relationships between what you eat and how you feel after having done it, but in reality you don’t know how to connect the dots.
You’re not sure if it was the lentils, or the bread with aioli, or perhaps the dessert, that sweet and delicious pannacotta that you enjoyed so much, the fact is that shortly after finishing eating your belly swelled like a balloon and there was little you could do to remedy it, only wait.
If all these thoughts overwhelm you, but you don’t know what to do, the first thing is to learn more about food, its characteristics, why digesting it can sometimes be complicated and how it can affect you.
When it comes to eating, make the right decisions to avoid the dreaded bloating
There are different reasons why you may notice bloating occasionally, but if it has become permanent, you should look for the cause.
It is always best to go to the doctor, or consult a Dietitian or a Dietitian-Nutritionist, who have formal academic training and experience in these cases.
Forget about influencers and smoke sellers (who promise to make you lose weight and lose belly fat with their miraculous products), because in the long run you will end up paying for it.
Functional abdominal distension is a prevalent condition that negatively affects general well-being and quality of life.
Therapy can target intestinal motility, muscle tone, microbiota, visceral sensitivity, diet and/or psychological comorbidity. A multidisciplinary and individualized approach is advisable.
Abdominal distension and bloating are highly prevalent symptoms that affect, and negatively impact, patients with a variety of underlying medical and surgical disorders.
Unfortunately, in most cases, the symptoms of bloating and distension are inherently nonspecific.
With that said, let’s Let’s see what bloating is and what it may be due to.
What is bloating, what exactly do I mean?
When I talk about bloating, I’m referring to that sensation that appears, especially in women, progressively as the day progresses.
It generates a feeling of discomfort, your clothes are tight, and you may feel abdominal pain.
It is usual to wake up with a “flat” stomach; the first symptoms begin after breakfast, but it is usually later, after lunch (or dinner), when the symptoms increase.
If as the hours go by you feel bloated and you don’t know how to avoid it, start by making some simple interventions in your lifestyle:
- Avoid gluten.
- Eliminate dairy products, or reduce them to a minimum consumption.
- Reduce your consumption of legumes, or eliminate them for a while.
- Introduce the consumption of quality fermented foods, especially vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Fast.
Avoiding certain foods can help you deal with the problem
Nutritional options to combat bloating:
- Breakfast based on fruit (red berries, kiwi, figs, pineapple, papaya), nuts, cream dairy (coconut-based yogurt, soy, for example) and cinnamon.
- Simple lunch or meal, first a vegetable cream with zucchini, carrot and spring onion, second, grilled chicken seasoned with black pepper and turmeric, with mushrooms and fresh tomato.
- Light dinner based on oily fish with white asparagus and avocado. For dessert, some red fruits.
In addition to food, it is also important to chew well, control portions and eat in a conscious
Some tips to avoid bloating after meals:
- Chew your food well: Digestion begins in the mouth, and good chewing helps break down food and makes it easier for the digestive system to work. In addition, the act of chewing helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn can help neutralize stomach acids. Don’t drink too much fluid while eating, precisely to avoid interfering with this process.
- Avoid foods that cause gas: Some foods are more likely to cause gas, such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and certain types of fruit (banana, prunes, grapes) and grains. If you experience bloating after eating these foods, try cutting down or looking for alternatives (figs, papaya, kiwi, for example).
- Eat enough fiber: Fiber is important for intestinal health, but if you’re not used to consuming it in large amounts, you may experience bloating. Make sure to gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet and drink enough water to help soften your stools.
- Avoid overeating: Overeating can put extra strain on your digestive system, which can lead to bloating. Try to eat smaller portions and make sure you eat slowly to allow your body time to process the food and your brain to send the fullness signal in due time.
- Eat foods rich in probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can help maintain a healthy balance in your gut microbiota. Some foods rich in probiotics include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
Diet is the key to avoiding bloating after meals
In general, the key to preventing bloating after meals is to follow a diet that is appropriate for each individual, chew your food well, and pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods.
Something fundamental when establishing an adequate diet is planning; without a plan we will not be able to reach our goal.
- If you want to eat legumes, make sure you soak them beforehand and cook them properly. If they are from a jar, wash them very well.
- Add spices to your dishes, especially turmeric with black pepper, chili, and all kinds of aromatic herbs.
- Use extra virgin olive oil as your main source of fat.
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are highly recommended prebiotic foods, but if you suffer from bloating, you should control your intake and pay attention to their effects when you eat them.
- Mari, A., Abu Backer, F., Mahamid, M., Amara, H., Carter, D., Boltin, D., & Dickman, R. (2019). Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management. Advances in therapy, 36(5), 1075–1084. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7
- Lacy, B. E., Cangemi, D., & Vazquez-Roque, M. (2021). Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 19(2), 219–231.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056
*Los textos han sido redactados por Francesca (Missblasco).