Do I Actually Weigh More When Im Bloated?

The question: Gas and water retention can make you feel like you've gained 10 pounds—but how does it really impact your weight? 

The expert: Julia Zumpano, R.D., the Cleveland Clinic

The answer: Whether that belly bloat actually translates into extra pounds depends on what's causing it. "If the bloat was caused by gas—for example, you ate really fast and swallowed a lot of air, drank carbonated beverages, chewed gum, or consumed too many cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts (or one of these five other health foods that can make you feel bloated), then you won't weigh any more than usual—you'll just feel like you do," says Zumpano. Once the gas makes its way out of your system, your jeans will fit the same way they did before. 

On the other hand, if the stomach pooch is the result of a binge (in which case you should check out these tips on how to get back on track after overeating), it's your PMS week and your body is doing its usual water-retention thing, or you're constipated, you'll probably see an uptick on the scale. Don't panic: It won't be more than a few pounds at most, and once your body digests the extra food or your period arrives, that extra weight will be gone too, says Zumpano. (You'd have to overeat on a consistent basis to see long-lasting effects on your poundage.) 

MORE: How to Get a Flatter Tummy Almost Instantly

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