Bloating is one of the most uncomfortable stomach problems, familiar to practically everybody in the world. People’s descriptions of this symptom can vary, but the main concern is always the same: the sensation of increased pressure in the abdomen.
It can be associated with many other stomach problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, but it can arise independently after a heavy meal or an incorrect diet.
We are always trying to provide you with the best ways to maintain your health. So, here are 6 ways to avoid bloating and its annoying pain.
How To Prevent Stomach Bloating Naturally
6. Eat Carefully
You can prevent bloating by eating more slowly and in smaller portions. If you pay attention to what you eat and are more careful with your food intake, this can help you enjoy food more, since your brain will have time to process what you are putting in your mouth.
Also, it will decrease the number of air bubbles you swallow with your food, which are the disastrous cause of bloating in the first place. Just calm down and have fun for a second so you don’t have to suffer after a delicious dinner.
This way of eating is called mindful eating. This means that you should think of eating food as a way to treat your body well and not abuse it.
Basically, mindful eating is about not rushing so you can enjoy your food, cook your own meals, hydrate your body, not multitask, and most importantly, respect your body and your health.
5. Avoid Gas-triggering Foods
No, your mom didn’t lie to you when she said green things are incredibly healthy. Kale, broccoli, and cabbage are nutrient-dense, fiber-rich vegetables that you need to eat for a strong digestive system.
However, these foods are also rich in raffinose, a sugar that can only be digested by stomach bacteria and its fermentation is exactly what makes you bloat.
But don’t throw all those veggies out the window! Try to control the amount you eat and steam or boil to decrease the amount of sugar you consume.
4. Watch Your Salt
If it continues to swell, you may want to watch your salt intake. Eating foods high in sodium can cause your body to get rid of excess water, which can make you feel like you have a balloon in your stomach.
You may be digesting much more sodium than the American Heart Association recommends (no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults).
Salt is extremely difficult to avoid due to its presence in most processed and packaged foods. If you think you have failed your healthy, almost salt-free diet, drink more water to flush it out of the body.
3. Treat Yourself To Fruits
If you’ve been naughty with your salty foods, you might want to invest in some bananas. They prevent water from getting stuck in your body due to sodium. Bananas are full of potassium and perfectly regulate salt levels to reduce bloating.
Meanwhile, the enzymes in papaya and pineapple help break down the proteins in the system, which wonderfully helps the stomach process food.
Therefore, eat these fruits after a heavy meal to strengthen your digestive tract and help prevent constipation and bloating.
2. Drink Peppermint And Chamomile Teas
After a heavy meal, you may want to pamper yourself with a cup of chamomile or peppermint tea. Both are known to relax stomach spasms and relieve pain if you feel bloated.
Chamomile tea not only helps with digestion, but it can also relax and calm you, so you don’t pay too much attention to your tummy problems.
Peppermint oil is also available in supplement form if it is not your cup of tea.
1. Take Probiotics
We hope you enjoy probiotic yogurt here and there because if you do, you will literally be eating your way to getting rid of bloating with your active cultures.
As you probably know, there are millions of different bacteria in your stomach, and some of them can cause your digestive tract to produce excess gas.
Probiotics help regulate gas production and bloating if you are unlucky enough to suffer from it, and there are several studies to prove it.
You can also take probiotic supplements instead of yogurt, but why not have a healthy breakfast? If the yogurt is too acidic for you, you may want to add a little honey or jam to sweeten this morning treat.
Let us know more ways to help prevent stomach bloating in the comments below!
