5 non-diet based reasons you’re bloated
Being consistently bloated is a true test of your physical and mental wellbeing. While some experience only pain and discomfort after heavy meals, others are simply unable to so much as sip a cup of tea without feeling like a balloon.
The sad truth is that even making all of the “right” choices – avoiding dairy, heavy carbohydrates, sugars, fats and almost everything else in the fridge – doesn’t guarantee recourse.
Bloating is the most common way for the GI tract to let you know that its unhappy, and there are many factors other than your diet affecting its temperament.
Here are five common tips to beat the bloat for good.
1. Eating whilst distracted
Do you eat in front of the television or while scrolling through Facebook? Believe it or not, this could be contributing to your bloated belly. Eating whilst distracted causes us to eat faster and, generally, not chew our food as much as we should. Essentially, the faster we eat, the more air we gulp down, and the more bloated and gassy we feel.
2. Not drinking enough water
When we get dehydrated our intestines become less lubricated, resulting in stagnation and then, of course, bloating. Keep a water bottle on or near you at all times to ensure you are constantly hydrated and remember that the amount of water a person needs varies across individuals.
3. Skipping meals
Skipping meals is a sure-fire way to ensure that your stomach bloats when you do finally eat. This is because when we become ravenously hungry, we tend to gulp down our food and eat past our appetite. If you haven’t already, introduce light, healthy snacks into your daily routine.
4. Hormonal imbalance
Many women sufferer from a hormone imbalance, which can affect your tendency to bloat. Check out our article on signs you have a hormone imbalance and consider a trip to the GP.
5. Taking painkillers
Multiple studies have shown that painkillers worsen intestinal permeability, or cause leaky gut, as well as inflammation. Avoid over the counter medicines such as Nurofen and Panadol and instead opt for natural or holistic alternatives.
Do you suffer from chronic bloating? How do you deal with it? Let us know in the comments below.
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