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Feeling Bloated? Here is why and foods to eat to avoid feeling bloated.
What is bloating?
Bloating is a condition where your belly feels full and tight, often due to gas.
The B word—bloating. What causes bloat? Well first, bloating is caused by a distention of the abdomen and can be from a number of underlying possibilities. Everything from undigested food, to how you’re sitting (upright is best, no more meals in bed) to how much you’re talking while eating (save those FaceTime and Zoom calls for after) can affect how your body responds to, and more importantly, digests, your food.
Some of the top foods I recommend swapping if you’re experiencing belly bloat:
Trade out your beans and legumes for soaked quinoa, locally called fonio
Beans contain a specific type of protein that resists digestion until it gets to the large intestine—that’s a long way to go before they get any action. And they can definitely cause gas and bloating along the way. Try swapping them for well-rinsed and soaked (at least two hours in water, then rinse again) quinoa (Quinoa is a grain crop that is grown for its edible seeds. It's pronounced KEEN-wah. It is basically a seed, which is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain). When you add beans back into your diet, it’s a good idea to soak them too and experiment with taking a digestive enzyme supplement beforehand.
Go easy on the raw greens and heavier on the steamed or sauteed greens.
Too many raw veggies can be harder for your body to digest. I recommend for anyone struggling with bloat and gas to try swapping their salad greens for gently steamed or sauteed greens. Bonus points for adding some raw fermented veggies to help your belly break down its meal even better.
Pass on the cows and bring on the goats and sheep—yogurt, that is.
Many people can’t properly digest dairy either because they’re lactose intolerant or they’re sensitive to the proteins. If you find you’re feeling extra full after eating a bowl of yogurt or some cheese, try swapping cow milk products for goat or sheep milk ones. These alternatives are less processed and have different proteins, typically making them easier to digest than traditional cow dairy.
Sip on plain water or hot tea.
We all love a good bubbly water, but the problem for easily bloated bellies is that the CO2 used to make the bubbles can go straight to your digestive tract and cause bloating. Instead, sip on room-temperature water, warm lemon water, or tea. Even better, leave the liquids for at least an hour after mealtimes so that your digestive system can properly do its thing. Think of your belly like a fireplace—you don’t want to put out the fire while it’s digesting your salmon and yam fries.
And a number one tip for beating bloat is slowly chew your food. Digestion begins in our mouths. When we don’t chew our food completely, it leaves more work for our bellies, which can result in bloating, food comas, and other not-so-pleasant feelings (and sounds).
With these swaps and mindset shifts, you’ll be able to leave behind the bloat and feel better in your body and overall wellness.
Tips from Robyn Youkilis, a certified wellness expert, meditation teacher, and a bestselling author.
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