6 top tips that will help you get rid of bloating
Apart from dialing down on fizzy drinks or having smaller meals, here's some easy tricks from nutrition experts
PHOTO: FILE
It may be hard to believe, but there is a bright side to bloating. You can, actually, get rid of it.
Two nutrition experts impart their knowledge on a few of the best and the easiest ways to de-bloat. It's more simple than what you may have thought!
Chew on celery
Nutritionist and founder of NAO Nutrition Nikki Ostrower said this veggie effective as both a diuretic, a laxative, and even relieves liver congestion. You can chow down on it with peanut butter, or add it into a smoothie with some of the other de-boating foods below. Not to mention, the green vegetable is super crunchy!
Cut up cucumbers and carrots
"Carrots are diuretic and help prevent constipation,” explained Ostrower. “[They are] helpful for purifying blood and treating indigestion/bloat. Carrot juice is excellent for liver cleansing and rejuvenation. Cucumbers are also a diuretic," she said. Her suggestion? "Use a juicer to juice a combination of celery, carrot, parsley, cucumber. Drink 1-2 cups per day.”
For lunch, you could also opt for a salad of romaine letter and filled with sliced cucumbers and shredded carrots, she noted.
Pour yourself a cup of tea
Paula Simpson, a Holistic Beauty Nutritionist and the Co-Founder of Zea Skin Solutions, recommended drinking herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, and even dandelion after and between meals to support digestion and reduce bloating. She said that peppermint, specifically, is a natural digestive enzyme-rich food.
Pick up prebiotics
These capsules, or foods rich in them, will help you give your stomach some of that good bacteria it may be missing. "Detoxify and rebalance gut flora with prebiotic rich foods such as dandelion greens, asparagus, artichokes, leeks, apples,” said Simpson. Also important to intake after an antibiotics course!
Eat asparagus root
Not only is asparagus rich in prebiotics, but Ostrower said it can ease constipation, soothes bloating, reduces phlegm and mucus, and is even useful for kidney problems. "Cut off tough ends and cut into 1-inch pieces,” says Ostrower on how to prepare it.
"Put 1-2 cups water into skillet. Boil water. Add asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, until tender and bright green. Or, place on baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Use fingers to coat asparagus with oil. Roast at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned. Try to eat ½ bunch asparagus per day.”
Eat smaller meals
Although this is a little obvious, Simpson said that smaller “more frequent” meals can help prevent those bloating symptoms. Another key trick? "Limiting spicy, fried, or fatty foods may also reduce the risk of indigestion,” she added. Maybe less masala?
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Two nutrition experts impart their knowledge on a few of the best and the easiest ways to de-bloat. It's more simple than what you may have thought!
Chew on celery
Nutritionist and founder of NAO Nutrition Nikki Ostrower said this veggie effective as both a diuretic, a laxative, and even relieves liver congestion. You can chow down on it with peanut butter, or add it into a smoothie with some of the other de-boating foods below. Not to mention, the green vegetable is super crunchy!
Cut up cucumbers and carrots
"Carrots are diuretic and help prevent constipation,” explained Ostrower. “[They are] helpful for purifying blood and treating indigestion/bloat. Carrot juice is excellent for liver cleansing and rejuvenation. Cucumbers are also a diuretic," she said. Her suggestion? "Use a juicer to juice a combination of celery, carrot, parsley, cucumber. Drink 1-2 cups per day.”
For lunch, you could also opt for a salad of romaine letter and filled with sliced cucumbers and shredded carrots, she noted.
Pour yourself a cup of tea
Paula Simpson, a Holistic Beauty Nutritionist and the Co-Founder of Zea Skin Solutions, recommended drinking herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, and even dandelion after and between meals to support digestion and reduce bloating. She said that peppermint, specifically, is a natural digestive enzyme-rich food.
Pick up prebiotics
These capsules, or foods rich in them, will help you give your stomach some of that good bacteria it may be missing. "Detoxify and rebalance gut flora with prebiotic rich foods such as dandelion greens, asparagus, artichokes, leeks, apples,” said Simpson. Also important to intake after an antibiotics course!
Eat asparagus root
Not only is asparagus rich in prebiotics, but Ostrower said it can ease constipation, soothes bloating, reduces phlegm and mucus, and is even useful for kidney problems. "Cut off tough ends and cut into 1-inch pieces,” says Ostrower on how to prepare it.
"Put 1-2 cups water into skillet. Boil water. Add asparagus and cook for 2-3 minutes, until tender and bright green. Or, place on baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Use fingers to coat asparagus with oil. Roast at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned. Try to eat ½ bunch asparagus per day.”
Eat smaller meals
Although this is a little obvious, Simpson said that smaller “more frequent” meals can help prevent those bloating symptoms. Another key trick? "Limiting spicy, fried, or fatty foods may also reduce the risk of indigestion,” she added. Maybe less masala?
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.