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Foods That Stop Gas & Bloating in the Stomach
In a perfect world there would be no worries of flatulence, belching or the dreaded feeling of bloating. Unfortunately something you’ve eaten or drank has left you feeling like you’ve swallowed a hot air balloon. Bloating is an awful feeling leaving you uncomfortable and unattractive. It’s equally embarrassing when trying to fit into that form fitting dress or that custom made suit you’ve admired in your closet for some time now but every time you think about it, you’re all gassed up. The relief you’re looking for seems like it may never come. Don’t give up, there may still be hope for you yet. Next time, instead of eating foods that can cause bloating, try drinking or eating foods that can prevent bloating while at the same time still enjoying a tasty meal.
Let’s start by defining a couple of terms. First we have digestion. This step is the process of breaking down food into simple chemical compounds that can be absorbed in the body. Secondly we have bloating which is the act of causing the stomach, in this case, to swell with fluid or gas. So to understand the process, when you eat your food, you break it down into pieces when you chew. As the food heads south into the stomach, the stomach begins to break the food down further in order for the important pieces, nutrients and the like, to circulate throughout the body bringing gifts of energy and joy. While the rest doesn’t contribute much except for waste and goes out the back door. Keep in mind that if your food isn’t broken down properly and chewed down into tiny enough pieces then your stomach has a lot of work to do. All that energy and acid it takes for your stomach to break down your food is where the excess gas begins to rise and expands your belly. Think of it as a working truck on a construction site. The more digging and work it does the more dust and debris flies around. Well the truck is your stomach and the dust is the gas. Now imagine all that happening in a tiny sac.
Here are a few foods and beverages you can have during your daily meals that will help even the flattest of stomachs remain bloat free:
Make Your Own Tea!
Drinks
Teas:
The following teas keep the muscles in the intestine relaxed and lets the food you just ate sail through your stomach quicker. The less time food is spent in the stomach, the less chance for the food to just sit idle in your colon and emit excess gases.
- Ginger Root Tea- It also breaks down proteins in foods.
- Peppermint Tea
- Fennel Tea
- Chamomile Tea
Juices:
- Prune Juice- Sorbital and fiber contained in prunes, make this an aid for digestion.
- Pineapple Juice – Consists of Bromelaine that aids in digestion.
- Aloe Vera Juice- Has amino acids and Vitamin C that increases blood flow to the digestive tract. Though it has been rated a great aid in digestion, some findings are questionable due to its negative effects during research.
Other Drinks:
- Warm water- Try 8 glasses per day.
- Baking Soda & Water- Put a 1/2 tsp. in 4 oz. warm water helps neutralize stomach acid.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- Take sips of 2tbs. in 8oz. glasses of water before each meal to aid in digestion. It helps remove harmful bacteria and helps keep your digestive system on track and running smoothly.
Foods
The following fruits and vegetables get rid of the bloat caused by excess fluid in the stomach. Amongst other ingredients, their key ingredients are magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. Some also aid in putting extra acid in the blood (acidifying the blood).
What does that mean? Well, when the kidney begins to sense excess acid in the blood, it kicks into doing its job; the filtering of blood. The kidney then tries to flush out the acid which in turn gets rid of the excess fluid.
Rids Fluid Bloat
Vegetables:
- Asparagus
- Celery- Acidifying
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Fresh Corn
- Lettuce
- Parsley- Acidifying
- Garlic- Consume plain or in a soup
Fruits:
- Bananas
- Cranberries- Acidifying
- Grapes- High in water properties
- Oranges- Fruit is better than juice; also high in water
- Watermelon- High in water properties
The following aid in digestion and help take away the bloat:
Aid in Digestion
Foods:
- Sourdough bread- The after-fermenting process makes sourdough bread more digestible; easily broken down.
- Miso Soup- Traditional soup may not be found in typical Chinese restaurants.
- Yogurt- Balances bacteria in the stomach.
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi- Korean side dish made of vegetables. Keeps digestive tract in tip-top shape.
- Honey- Can be prepared as a tea paired with cinnamon, to aid in digestion.
- Avocado- Its healthy fats and fibers aid in digestive flow.
- Red beets and their greens- Good for fiber content.
- Any fermented veggies- Vegetables that have been processed to contain living nutrients and bacteria that can aid in proper digestion.
Fruits:
- Berries-As long as those that carry seeds don’t affect your tummy negatively.
- Prunes
- Dried Apricots- Contains a high content of soluble fiber which helps move along waste in the bowel through the digestive tract more quickly.
- Papaya
- Pineapple- Due to its proteolytic enzymes.
The funny thing is, during my research for gas reducers almost all of the very same things that aid in ridding gas are also the very ones that aid in causing gas. My advice is to just give ‘em a try. Everybody’s body is different. What works for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. Some things may need to be consumed in moderation in order for them to work more effectively. Over indulging or under ingesting some of these items can make the difference between eliminating and contributing to bloating or excess gas.
