Summer is coming to an end, so go ahead: Sport those shorts. Rock that bikini.
Your spirits should be high — until you look down at your middle and see a bit of a bulge.
Naturally, you can always cover it up. But that defeats the whole idea of feeling cool during the waning days of summer.
Bloating not only prevents you from looking your best; it can be downright uncomfortable. Fortunately, health experts say there are 10 quick and easy steps you can take to diminish bloating – and flaunt your stuff with confidence:
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Defeat constipation by consuming a reasonable amount of fiber (25 grams per day for women and 38 grams for men) and drinking six to eight glasses of water per day.
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Engage in regular physical activity. Even leisurely walking, for 30 minutes per day, five times a week, can do wonders to keep your metabolism moving and your middle from growing, especially from foods causing gas.
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Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. This might sound like advice more suited to children, but when you eat as if someone is standing over you, ready to remove your plate, you tend to swallow more air, and excess air leads directly to bloating.
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Curb your chewing gum habit, for the same reason.
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Limit sodium to between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams per day, which will require you to read labels on your favorite foods until you familiarize yourself with the content. Look for labels that say “low sodium” or “sodium-free.”
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Limit your intake of carbonated drinks, the fizz from which can get trapped in your stomach. Flavored water and fruit drinks are fine substitutes – and so much the better if you can drink them at room temperature. Cold liquids can swell the abdomen.
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Reduce your intake of “sugar-free” foods that contain artificial sweeteners. They lead directly to bloating.
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Go easy on green leafy vegetables and beans. When it comes to foods causing gas, cruciferous vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale are at the top of the list. They’re followed right behind by beans and soybeans.
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Eat smaller “meals” more often. Talk about a life change that should make you feel better – and look less bloated – in no time: eating five or six small meals/snacks a day instead of two or three full meals. Streamlining your daily “food stream” will help you manage hunger and control your blood sugar, too.
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Confirm suspected food allergies or lactose intolerance with a physician rather than independently eliminating healthy foods from your diet that can actually help keep bloating in check.
Health experts caution against skipping meals, fasting and using either laxatives or water pills to deal with foods causing gas.
An outstanding choice is CharcoCaps, which goes to work fast on absorbing gas and relieving you of uncomfortable gas and bloating symptoms.
With CharcoCaps on hand, you and your middle will be more than ready for the last days of summer.
Consult your health care professional before starting an exercise program, taking a dietary supplement, or OTC medication. This post is not a substitute for medical advice.