With all the fun BBQs, get togethers, picnics, weddings, parties during these Summer months it's inevitable we are surrounded by tons of food constantly!! And of course.. it's not always going to all be healthy. Have you ever woken up and looked in the mirror and said "Man.. I look 4 months pregnant!!" I know I have.. and I also know how uncomfortable that feels... so I put together some of my best 'de-bloat' tips for those of us that may have eaten a little too much and are in need of some relief the following day!
1. Drink lots of water!! When you're feeling puffy and bloated.. drinking soft drinks and fizzy drinks can make you feel worse. Water helps restore the balance in your body and helps it run smoothly again. Keep a bottle with you at all times for that constant reminder to keep your fluids up!
2. Give some ginger a try! Fresh ginger is amazing for soothing your stomach. If you aren't used to it tho.. it can have quite a strong taste. My favorite way to use it is to grate some into a glass of hot water with some freshly squeezed lemon & honey to dilute the taste a little. It's also pretty amazing when you add it to fresh juices & smoothies.
3. Steer clear of the salt! If you are feeling bloated from the day before.. it CAN be because you have consumed too many foods high in salt! Salt can cause your body to hold on to excess water and can contribute to that puffy, bloated feeling. Give your body a chance to let go of all that excess water it's holding on to by staying away from foods high in salt.
4. Pop a Probiotic! Probiotics can help to reduce bloating because they restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. There are some natural food sources where probiotics are found (yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and other pickled foods) but you can also take a supplement. (Just be sure to check the ingredients for any sugars or additives)
5. Add some Asparagus to your Meal! Asparagus is rich in potassium and that can help regulate fluid balance in your body and can actually counteract all of that salt you may have consumed that has you feeling puffy! Add some to your breakfast omelette, saute it in olive oil, or roast some in the oven.
While it might be tempting to cut down on eating or skip meals when you are feeling bloated.. this is a BAD idea!! This will only cause your blood sugar to drop.. causing you to be irritable and may even cause you to overeat later that day. You need to eat!! Lastly, don't be too hard on yourself!! Don't feel guilty if you overindulged and got off track. Keep your focus on helping yourself feel better!!
XOXO Coach Cheyenne
