Foods to fight pre-wedding belly bloat

Portia Arthur

January 13, 2016 10:35 AM

The last thing you want to deal with on your wedding day is bloating. Not only will it make you feel uncomfortable, you’ll be self-conscious in the dress you worked so hard to find and fit into.

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No bride-to-be wants to feel puffy and bloated, especially if dress fittings or social gatherings are on deck for the day.

Here, what to eat to help flatten your stomach, and a few foods to skip.

Eat these:1. Watermelon, cucumber, and berriesThe high water content in foods like these help move food through your digestive tract and lower water retention.

2. BananasA Greek study a few year ago found that eating a medium-size banana twice a day reduced bloating in women. The researchers speculate that the fiber in bananas may help digestion-friendly bacteria in the gut multiply.

3. Sunflower seedsThey're super-high in magnesium, a mineral that helps keep your digestive tract moving so you don't puff up. Milk, almonds, and beets are also good sources.

If you're really stressed, or are having some tummy trouble, you might try a magnesium supplement, says registered dietitian Ashley Koff, RD, who often helps clients with digestive issues. She likes a powdered supplement called Natural Calm, that you mix with warm water and sip before bed.

Avoid these:1. Raw cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli, which are known to cause gas. If you're going to eat these, make sure their well-cooked.

2. Artificial sweeteners. Whether they're in blue packets or sugar-free sweets, drinks, candy, and gum, artificial sweeteners can cause gas, bloating, and even diarrhea in some people, especially in large amounts.

3. Beans. They're healthy, but also very high in the type of fiber that's likely to cause a bit of gas and bloating.

Source: Brides.com

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Portia Arthur