What I Stay Away From All Day
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To get the most out of my one-day belly bloat battle, I skip the most common water-retention triggers: the saltshaker, all packaged or processed foods, sugar, and alcohol. I also nix carbonated beverages, which fill you with air and make you gassy and puffy.
The Morning-After Meal
I drink water with lemon every day—and especially when trying to recover from bloat. It may feel counterintuitive to drink a ton of water when you're already feeling like a water balloon, but drinking H20 pushes the extra fluid from your system—and that's what's making you look and feel so inflated. If you're a breakfast person, I always recommend noshing on a protein-packed morning meal to help you feel satisfied through the day. Hard-boiled eggs are an easy go-to, and sprinkling oregano on them adds flavor, a little fiber, and antioxidants—without extra calories or salt. Sip some green tea to get in a little a.m. caffeine and antioxidants, like EGCG, which has been linked to a speedier metabolism. Plus, like water, the green stuff will help flush the extra fluid out of your body.
Midmorning Munchies
Though I try to steer clear of refined carbohydrates in general, it's even more important when I'm trying to get rid of extra water weight. That's because starches—particularly the processed ones, like cereal, pasta, bread, and crackers—hold on to water. That means nuts and seeds are my go-to snacks for a flat belly. I really love pecans because they're loaded with belly-filling fiber and antioxidants. I also like to flavor my water with pieces of fresh ginger since the root aids in digestion by helping move waste out of your system.
Time for Lunch!
Steamed asparagus has certain compounds that act like probiotics, which keep your digestive system running smoothly so you can score a flat stomach. Protein-rich salmon is supersatisfying and packed with omega 3s, which have been linked to weight loss. On top of that, unlike many starches or gas-producing veggies, lean protein doesn't bloat you or make you gassy. Just be sure to skip salty or sugary marinades.
Afternoon Snack Attack
Photograph by ingwervanille/getty images
Between steamed artichoke's fiber content and its tummy-calming abilities, this could be the ultimate midday snack when you're feeling bloated. Artichokes are famous for soothing constipation (along with other common stomach troubles), which can make your clothes feel supertight. In other words, they're your flat belly's BFF.
Deflating Dinner
Dandelion greens act as a diuretic, which help your body continue to get rid of the excess fluid it's holding on to. (I like them sautéed.) And bonus: Some evidence shows that this green can help your liver detoxify your body. Another one of my dinnertime faves when I'm trying to reduce the belly bulge is fennel. Eat the bulb of the celery-like plant raw or roasted with herbs and spices. This vegetable aids in digestion by ramping up the secretion of gastric acids in your belly. Those chemicals help to break down food as much as possible so that it doesn't get stuck in your large intestine and cause gas and bloating. And as I mentioned earlier, lean protein (like grilled or baked cod, grass-fed beef, or chicken) keeps you supersatisfied and free of puffiness—so you can wake up tomorrow feeling way better than you did today.
The article What a Nutritionist Eats to De-Bloat All Day Long originally ran on WomensHealthMag.com.
