Have you ever been consuming greater than you sometimes do? It occurs — and you might find yourself feeling like your stomach is bloated from all that meals.
Bloating may very well be brought on by simply fuel. “It’s brought on by extra air or fuel within the gastrointestinal tract,” says Chicago-based proprietor of RAD Vitamin Rachel Doyle, RDN, who focuses on intestine well being. “After we eat, carbohydrates are damaged down and their fiber is fermented, producing fuel that expands, which might result in bloating.”
Whereas bloating will be disagreeable, it’s often nothing to fret about. “Usually, bloating is just not an indication of something critical, particularly if it is just occurring after massive meals,” says Pam Fullenweider, RD, the founding father of Totally Mediterranean in Houston.
If it’s persistent, nevertheless, go to your healthcare supplier to rule out one thing extra critical. “If you’re experiencing bloating steadily, it’s all the time a good suggestion to discover it additional with a physician or dietitian to find out the foundation trigger and rule out any underlying medical situations,” Fullenweider says.
Even run-of-the-mill bloating could be a ache although. The excellent news is that you simply don’t have to only sit uncomfortably and wait it out. Observe these seven fast tricks to do away with bloating and really feel like your self once more.
1. Keep Hydrated
Consuming water might be the very last thing you wish to do whenever you really feel like your stomach is about to blow up. However “hydration is so vital for minimizing bloating,” Doyle says. “It retains every part shifting alongside easily in your digestive tract, which is crucial for normal bowel actions — and constipation and bloating usually go hand in hand.”
The objective with consuming water after a meal is to offset sodium consumption and encourage your physique to surrender fluids. “Whereas it might appear counterintuitive, consuming water might assist to cut back bloat by ridding the physique of extra sodium,” Fullenweider says. Consuming water earlier than a meal might assist ease bloating and in addition scale back the probability of overeating.
2. Take a Stroll
3. Reduce Again on Alcohol
You is perhaps tempted to pour your self one other drink after dinner, however that received’t assist your swollen abdomen. “Alcohol can gradual digestion and enhance water retention,” Fullenweider says.
So, skip the post-meal cocktail for now (or simply have one). Finally, to maintain stomach bloat to a minimal, you’re higher off sticking with water.
4. Steer Away from Carbonation
The bubbles are in charge.
5. Pour Your self Some Tea
6. Ease Right into a Yoga Pose
As soon as the dessert is cleared, discover some house to offer your physique a pleasant stretch. “Mild yoga poses like Youngster’s pose or Cat-Cow can assist relieve stomach discomfort related to bloating,” Doyle says.
7. Keep away from Gum
The Takeaway
- Bloating is uncomfortable however often innocent, usually brought on by extra fuel, swallowed air, or sure meals.
- Easy each day habits like consuming water, avoiding carbonated drinks, and consuming slowly can assist stop or scale back bloating.
- Mild motion, stretching, and natural teas (akin to peppermint or ginger) can ease bloating as soon as it begins.
- If bloating occurs steadily or comes with different signs, a healthcare supplier can assist determine the underlying causes.