Stay Free Of Bloating and Manage Your Waist Line

Eating three servings of that sweet puff puff/ buns won’t do your waistline any favors—but neither will eating three servings of broccoli. Here’s why: Certain foods are known bloat offenders (they cause stomach gas, making you feel to full and uneasy), which means they’ll increase puffiness and make you appear heavier than you are, says Stephanie Middleberg, R.D., of Stephanie Middleberg Nutrition in New York City.

These are the four food items to watch out for the most when making food choices:

Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts—this season’s trendiest greens are also the biggest stomach puffers, this is due to their high fiber content. You should eat a small serving since they’re so healthy and very filling—but stop after that, particularly if you’re trying to fit into a tiny christmas dress later.

Salty Processed Products
Most bagged, boxed or canned products are loaded with salt, which causes you to retain water and resemble a blowfish. Steer clear of these offenders as much as possible so as not to exacerbate bloating.

Soda/Mineral
Those bubbles that make soda so refreshing? When you swallow them, you’re basically swallowing air, which finds its way to your stomach and abs and causes temporary bloating/stomach gas.
Stick with water to avoid developing a food baby (or should we be calling it a soda baby?).

Artificial Sweeteners and Diet Foods
Generally speaking, your body doesn’t agree with fake food products—and these in particular can leave you feeling very uneasy and puffy. Problem foods and ingredients include sugar-free gum, sucralose, aspartame, frozen yogurt, and any product that has lots of unrecognizable items on its label. Indulge in the real stuff—it tastes better, and so long as you consume it in moderation (and as part of a healthy diet), it shouldn’t affect your waistline.

Credit: Esther Crain