How To Tackle A Bloated Stomach In Summer | Health & Wellbeing

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Feeling bloated is never pleasant. Your jeans get tight as you nurse a sore stomach, and you wish your belly would go down. The worst thing is you don’t know why you’re suffering from a bloated stomach in the first place.

Stay tuned if you want bloating relief. We’re giving tips on what foods to avoid over the summer to minimise belly bloat. We’ve also got the best natural bloating remedies for stomach gas relief to ease your digestion.

What does a bloated stomach look like?

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A bloated belly is larger than your usual stomach and looks swollen and firm. Regular clothes might feel tight, and anything pressing on your tummy is uncomfortable. This could be accompanied by a belly ache or excessive gas.

What causes a bloated stomach?

Bloating is caused by inflammation in your digestive system, making cells swell. There are lots of different reasons for a bloated stomach, including:

Food intolerance
Overeating
Menstrual cycle
Indigestion
Constipation
Trapped gas
A change in diet
Stress
Fast-food and sugary foods
Excess alcohol
Smoking

Why do I bloat more over the summer?

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If you’re always bloated during summer, it could be due to the foods you’re eating. As the weather warms, you may gravitate toward ice cream in the park and beers at a BBQ. Occasionally, they’re fun to have, but constantly consuming them inflames the body and can create bloating.

You may also switch to a healthy summer, high-fibre diet, such as salads. If you haven’t been getting enough fibre over winter, your intestines can struggle to break down the fibre quickly. All your tummy needs is time to adjust to your healthier lifestyle. But you may want bloating relief in the meantime.

How to reduce bloating

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Bloating is not only painful, but it can also affect your confidence. So, here’s how to reduce bloating:

Limit foods that cause bloating

The first step is to identify what’s causing you to bloat. Once you do, you can work on reducing your intake to calm inflammation and swelling.

Sugary foods - If you want to stop bloating, sugary foods should be your first port of call. But you don’t have to live a sugar-free diet. Simply lower your intake and switch to things like sugar-free sweets.
Alcohol - Alcohol drastically inflames the body, particularly the stomach. So, the best thing for bloating is to limit your alcohol consumption and try alternatives, like our recipe for a delicious Cherry Juice Mocktail.

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Dairy - Some people have a dairy intolerance, and items like cheese and milk can upset their stomachs. If you want help with bloating caused by dairy, try our vegan options.
Refined flour - White bread, pasta, and flour can trigger a swollen stomach. De-bloat by switching to brown pasta and rice or baking with nutritious ingredients like Organic Coconut Flour.
Cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens - Vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, and broccoli are hard to break down and can cause a gassy stomach. Introduce small amounts of cruciferous vegetables or cook them before consuming. Another option is pre-ground greens, like spinach powder, which is easier to digest and can reduce bloating and gas

Natural remedies for bloating

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To eliminate bloating, avoid anything that triggers inflammation and switch to anti-bloating foods. Check out our home remedies for bloating below:

Probiotics

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Your stomach contains good bacteria (or microbiome) that help break down food and balance your hormones. When the microbiome is unhappy, it can cause an irritated stomach, constipation, and trapped gas.

Your good gut bacteria need probiotics to thrive, so consuming probiotic foods can relieve gas and bloating. Here are our favourite probiotic foods:

Probiotic foods

Peppermint

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Bloating after eating is common, especially if you consume too much. Peppermint has been used for centuries as a home remedy for bloated stomachs and can work wonders after a heavy meal.

If your stomach is swollen after eating, drink a cup of peppermint tea and go for a calming walk to stimulate your digestive system.

Ginger

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You may have heard of ginger for nausea, but it’s just as effective at treating bloating. The spice has a fiery kick and is a fantastic anti-inflammatory to relieve tummy pain. It’s one of our top anti-bloat ingredients to soothe the stomach.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a superfood and an anti-inflammatory superhero to give the best bloating relief. Consuming turmeric regularly can calm tummy aches and settle the stomach.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals for bloated stomach relief. Instead of having high-sugar snacks, consume a banana to minimise bloating over summer.

Chamomile

Chamomile is typically known for its sleep properties. But it’s also excellent at soothing inflammation to relieve bloating.

Apple cider vinegar

One of the classic bloated stomach remedies is apple cider vinegar because it promotes healthy gut bacteria.

When to get checked out for bloating

Some bloating is normal, but if you have constant bloating or are bloated after eating anything, see a doctor. It could be due to a condition such as IBS or a food intolerance.

Get summer bloating relief with Grape Tree

Relax in the summer sun without clutching a sore stomach. Limit foods and unhealthy lifestyle factors that can trigger a swollen belly. Instead, stick to natural remedies that are best for bloating. Nourish your digestion with gut-loving foods and look after your summer wellness with Grape Tree.

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