How’s your belly today? If you’re feeling a bit bloated, you’re not alone. There are a few different causes for bloating — like PMS, constipation, or gas — but the most common cause is simply a slow digestive system.
Bad news, ladies: a slow digestive system is a common problem for women over the age of forty. If your puffed-up belly is making you feel uncomfortable and unattractive, here are some foods that can help!
- Combine your fibers. Studies have shown that eating two kinds of fiber together is the most effective way to keep things moving through your digestive system. Try combining a soluble fiber with an insoluble fiber for best results — this will pull water into your colon and help speed up the waste elimination process.
- Eat plenty of potassium. The body often retains water because the minerals that control water levels are out of balance. Potassium and sodium are the two most likely to cause problems… sodium levels being too high and potassium levels being too low. When sodium levels are too high, your body will hold on to fluids. Eating more potassium (like bananas and potatoes) will help flush out the water and the extra sodium.
- Go for probiotics. An imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system can slow things down and puff you up. Probiotics — the good bacteria — can help restore balance to your belly.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is a great way to keep your whole body healthy and happy.
When you’re feeling bloated, avoid sodium — too much sodium in your system can cause you to retain water. Also avoid foods that make you swallow air (like fizzy sodas and chewing gum), because you probably don’t need the extra gas in your system. Raw produce can leave you feeling gassy, and sugar substitutes like sorbitol and xylitol are other gas producers because we don’t fully digest sugar alcohols.