Is That Bloat or Am I Just Getting Fat?

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• My Blog

Is your belly hard and distended? Does it talk to you (I mean with gurgling sounds not an actual conversation-hopefully)? Do you have gas coming out of either or both ends? Perhaps even belly pain?

The cause of bloating can range from drinking carbonated beverages and chewing gum to more of a medical reason such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Celiac or Crohn's Disease. Of course, there are so many reasons in between.

Bloating is so uncomfortable. Your clothes become instantly tight. I had a child (friend of my daughter) ask me once if I was pregnant. Let's just say I could have handled that better.

I do have a few tips for you to help fight off the insta-bloat so you don't need to jump to an elastic waistband (you know how I feel about those).

1. Eat smaller meals- You should be eating just until satisfied and not the least bit full.
2. No carbonated beverages - you are just pumping more air into your body with those sodas.
3. No fake sugars - sugar replacements such as xylitol have been known to lead to gas, bloating and diarrhea.
4. Chew your food more - begin the digestive process in your mouth. Chew slowly and mindfully.
5. Use less salt - switch to fresh herbs so you retain less water. I love cilantro!
6. Test for Food Sensitivities - I do this test in my office. It's a simple blood test (your finger) and it can have extremely impactful results. Something you are eating may be causing it. Let's do some quick detective work and nip it in the bud!