Your belly is bloated and you feel like a balloon. All you want to do is find a way to reduce the swelling, fast. Before you turn to the internet for advice, or worse, over-the-counter drugs, try incorporating some of these top 10 foods into your diet.
Not only are they effective at reducing bloating but they’re also good for your overall health! Who knew healthy eating could be so effective at banishing bloat? Read on to learn more.
#1 – Watermelon
Watermelon is a great food to eat if you’re feeling bloated.
It’s hydrating, which can help reduce bloating caused by dehydration.
Additionally, watermelon is a natural diuretic, which means it can help your body get rid of excess fluid.
#2 – Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are another great food to eat if you’re feeling bloated.
They contain a soluble fiber called pectin, which can help reduce bloating by promoting regularity.
Additionally, sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium, which can help reduce water retention.
#3 – Cucumber
Cucumber is also a great food to eat if you’re feeling bloated.
It’s hydrating, which can help reduce bloating caused by dehydration.
Additionally, cucumber is a natural diuretic, which means it can help your body get rid of excess fluid.
Cucumber also contains a soluble fiber called pectin, which can help reduce bloating by promoting regularity.
#4 – Water
“It sounds like an oxymoron. Why would you want to put more water in when you want to take water out?”
Water is actually one of the best things you can drink when you’re feeling bloated.
That’s because dehydration can actually cause bloating.
When your body doesn’t have enough water, it will hold on to what it does have, which can lead to bloating.
#5 – Banana
Bananas are another great food to eat when you’re feeling bloated.
They contain potassium, which can help relieve bloating by regulating sodium levels in the body.
Bananas are also a good source of soluble fiber, which can promote regularity and reduce bloating.
#6 – Fennel
Fennel is a crunchy, slightly sweet vegetable that’s often used in Mediterranean cooking.
It’s also a natural diuretic, which means it can help reduce bloating by helping your body get rid of excess water.
Fennel is also a good source of fiber, so it can help with regularity as well.
To get the most benefit from fennel, you can eat it raw or add it to soups and salads.
You can also try drinking fennel tea.
#7 – Celery
Celery is a low-calorie food that’s rich in water and fiber.
Like other high-water foods, it can help reduce bloating by helping your body get rid of excess water.
Celery is also a good source of insoluble fiber, which can promote regularity and reduce bloating.
You can eat celery raw or cooked.
Drinking celery juice is also a popular way to get the benefits of this food.
Just be sure to drink it in moderation, as too much celery juice can have a laxative effect.
#8 – Pineapple
Pineapple is rich in an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Bromelain can help reduce bloating and other symptoms of digestive distress.
Pineapple is also a good source of fiber and water, both of which can help reduce bloating.
You can eat pineapple fresh, canned, or juiced.
Just be sure to avoid adding too much sugar, as this can make bloating worse.
#9 – Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can help with digestion.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce bloating.
Papaya is a good source of fiber and water, both of which can help reduce bloating.
You can eat papaya fresh, canned, or juiced.
Just be sure to avoid adding too much sugar, as this can make bloating worse.
#10 – Mint
Mint is a refreshing herb that can help with bloating.
It has an enzyme that helps with digestion, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
You can add mint to your water or tea, or you can eat it fresh.
Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much mint can actually make bloating worse.
De-Bloating Tips
How to de-bloat? The million-dollar question. Here are some tips that should help you start feeling better in no time:
- Drink plenty of water: This will help to flush out your system and reduce bloating.
- Avoid carbonated drinks: These can add gas to your system and make bloating worse.
- Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller meals more often can help to reduce bloating.
- Avoid high-sodium foods: These can cause your body to retain water and make bloating worse.
- Exercise: This will help to move things along and reduce the amount of gas in your system.
- Try probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that can help to improve gut health and reduce bloating.
- Peppermint tea: This can help to relax the muscles in your digestive system and reduce bloating.
- Chamomile tea: This can help to reduce inflammation in the digestive system and reduce bloating.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking to reduce bloating in a hurry, try incorporating some of these top 10 foods into your diet. Not only are they all healthy and nutritious, but they also work quickly to get rid of that pesky bloat. Have you tried any of these foods for reducing bloating? What worked (or didn’t work) for you? Let us know in the comments below!
