5 Top Bloat-Busters to Prepare You for Summer

With the unexpected wave of sun that has graced us with its presence over these past few weeks, it may have dawned on you that winter is well and truly over and summer is fast approaching. Soon, the extra pounds you’ve been concealing beneath winter coats and woolly layers will be unveiled for all to see when you strip down to your summer best.

I know that many of you (myself included) have already embarked on a ‘get fit for summer’ mission, so I’m not going to lecture you on what exercise you should be doing or which foods you should be cutting out of your diet. Rather, I’m going to tell you what you should be eating to feel better about yourself and your body, which I hope will give you a boost to really motivate you to achieve your weight-loss goals.

I’m sure you know how disheartening it can be to have embarked upon a mission to lose weight, only to survey your stomach after a healthy (frugal) meal and almost faint at the bloated whale you see before you. What you may not realise is that this bloat is not down to eating too much, but that those perceived ‘healthy’ foods you’re gorging yourself on whilst trying to lose weight are actually just filling you with gas and bloating you right out.

Some of the most common offenders you may already be aware of; for example, salt is notorious for causing water retention, thus resulting in a puffed out belly. The same can be said for other gas-inducing foods, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and beans. Other culprits include processed foods, frozen ready meals, pasta and other carbs, low-fat yoghurt, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

In essence, all those foods that we instantly reached for when embarking on a healthy diet! Read on to discover the five top foods you can eat to bust the bloat once and for all in time for summer:

1)      Pineapple
Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which effectively breaks down proteins in the body. Eating this tasty fruit as part of a dessert or evening snack will ease the discomfort and bloating you’d usually experience after indulging in a heavy meal.

2)      Probiotic products
Probiotic foods provide a bacterial strain targeted particularly at digestive health; good bacteria should far outnumber bad types in the gut. Incorporate a probiotic spread or yoghurt into your usual diet to help avoid bloating, and to help keep your good bacteria levels bolstered.

3)      Fruit
As we touched on earlier, salt is the number one offender for causing dehydration. We Brits currently consume far too much sodium in our diets, and we need plenty of potassium to help counteract the bloating effects of excessive salt levels. A serving of beetroot, one banana or a 250ml glass of orange juice a day is enough to give you the boost you need.

4)      Rosemary and turmeric
Rosemary has many uses, including to treat intestinal gas and aiding digestion. Incorporate it into your diet by soaking it in your cuppa, or combine it with celery and parsley to make your own cooking broth. Valued in Asia for its ability to fight inflammation, turmeric is key in relieving an upset stomach and helping with bloat-reduction. Use the spice in a curry dish, or to add flavour to your favourite foods.

5)      Water with lemon
Retaining water is your body’s way of holding on to fluid so you don’t dehydrate. If you’re suffering from bloating, this is the time you want to push fluids rather than restrict them. Add a slice of lemon to a glass of water; as a natural diuretic, this combination can help reduce the amount of salt retained in the body.

Remember, you will achieve your summer goals far more quickly by combining healthy eating with regular exercise. Whether you decide to hit the gym or run outside in the great outdoors, there’s no better time to make a start and make a change!