Bloating will happen to you—even if you're healthy and active—at some point in your life. And whether the culprit is obvious like hormones, or subtle like food sensitivity, the symptoms are never fun.
During times of intestinal distress, drink plenty of water, watch your sodium intake, and include foods that can help give you some relief. Not sure which foods will help? Start with these five foods to put an end to bloating.
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Celery
Rich in potassium and sodium, celery contains the minerals most important for regulating fluid balance. Celery keeps us hydrated while it stimulates urine production, which helps rid the body of excess fluid. Chew on a few stalks of fresh celery at the first sign of intestinal issues.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a well-known diuretic, has a long history of relieving digestive problems, and it encourages the growth of friendly bacteria in the gut.
It also contains insoluble fiber, which keeps things moving through your system properly. Steam a handful of stalks and drizzle them with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
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Papaya
Containing the digestive enzyme papain, papaya is one of the most popular over-the-counter products for indigestion, a key cause of belly bloat.
Toss a cup of fresh papaya into your next fruit salad, or purchase papaya tablets at your local health food store and chew them toward the end of your meals.
Parsley
The popular herb that adorns plates in restaurants all over the world, is a diuretic and has one important detoxifying compound called apoil. This makes it a fantastic tool for cleaning out the kidneys and is often used in the treatment of kidney stones. Parsley also helps to purify your blood. Use parsley, and fresh herbs generously in any dish you cook.
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Plain, organic yogurt
Probiotic-rich yogurt can keep your gut in check, if you're not sensitive to dairy. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that populate the gut and drive away the pathogens that can cause bloating.
Find yogurts with minimal sugar and ditch the fruit on-the-bottom and fancy-flavor varieties. If you don't enjoy yogurt, the same debloating probiotics are available in supplement form at the health food store.
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