7 foods to banish the bloat

OH the dreaded post-Christmas bloat, when nothing fits, you look like a minion, and all you want is that flat stomach back. Are you bloated and feeling crappy post-holidays? Making simple changes to your food consumption might be what you need to get your figure back.

Workout developer Mesha-Gaye Wright says having spent the Christmas and new year ingesting foods and alcohol known for adding the pounds, it’s not only eliminating some foods, but including some in your diet that will banish the bloat.

Here is what she recommends, and why:

Chia seeds

Add chia seeds to your water, juices, smoothies and shakes. Chia seeds have lots of fibre, which is essential for body functioning and regulating fat. Chia seeds can boost your digestive health, improve metabolism, and promote weight loss.

Green tea

The caffeine in green tea not only has diuretic effects, but the tea will help you stay hydrated and prevent fluid retention.

“Green tea also contains catechin, which helps your body burn fat,” Wright said.

Ginger

There’s a reason why you’re encouraged to drink ginger tea when you have stomach issues — ginger helps your stomach empty its contents, preventing bloating and feelings of fullness.

Ripe bananas

Ripe bananas will help keep you regular, being an excellent source of fibre and potassium. Fibre prevents bloating, and potassium helps you keep a healthy fluid balance, which can prevent water retention.

Oats

Oats are another fibre-rich food, which helps battle bloating, keeps you regular, and feeling full longer.

Pineapple

Pineapple is another remedy people often turn to when they have stomach issues, and it has vitamin C, manganese, and B vitamins, as well as the enzyme bromelain, which fights inflammation, and helps with bloating and swelling.

Quinoa/bulgur

Ditch the white rice and enjoy some quinoa, or even bulgur, which are gluten-free. Gluten-containing foods cause issues like bloating, and quinoa and bulgur are also rich in fibre to help combat bloating.