BiProUSA Blog
July 2, 2010 - Foods to Beat Belly Bloat
All right ladies (and gentlemen), there is no more denying that swimsuit season is upon us. No more hiding under forgiving sweaters and hoodies, time to get out that swimsuit and hit the beach!
But what if you don’t feel like you’re in itsy-bitsy-teeny-weenie bikini body shape? If this is the case, my first piece of advice to you is that nothing looks better than confidence! Find a swimsuit that flatters your figure and get out there! Don’t let small insecurities keep you from enjoying your summer!
My second piece of advice is that it is never too late to get in shape. Working out and eating right year-round will help ensure you are ready to go when that pool party invitation arrives. But there are also some last minute tricks to beat belly bloat that can help you feel better about baring (almost) all when you’re in a pinch.
Shape Magazine offers these tips:
• Up your intake of soluble fiber, found in apples, citrus fruits, seeds, and beans. Soluble fiber stimulates the muscles of your digestive system to contract and push waste through faster.
• Add healthy bacteria to your diet with yogurt and kefir, which contain probiotics, such as acidophilus. Everyone has bacteria in their digestive system, but if you’re overweight, it may be because the blend of those bugs is causing you to absorb more calories from the food you eat.
• Get your daily dose of “C” – Vitamin C helps produce carnitine, an amino acid that helps you use fat for energy.
• Swap carbs for spinach, which is light on calories and carbs, and rich in more than a dozen stress-fighting antioxidants.
• Turn up the heat with peppers – Capsaicin, the natural substance in peppers that gives them their heat, helps you use more calories, even at rest.
• Have fruit for dessert (maybe a Three Fruit Smoothie?).
• Add some avocado. This fruit is rich in potassium, a mineral that helps you lose the pooch by flushing out excess sodium and reducing water retention.
• Give up or take a break from alcohol – empty calories!
• Coffee and tea can actually help you drop pounds. When you drink caffeine about 30 minutes before a workout, it helps you push yourself harder and longer. Caffeine also stimulates your digestive tract, so it eases bloating.
• Leave out the refined sugar – refined sugar can stoke hunger and cause bloating.
Now let’s hit the beach!
Hugs,
BiProUSAGirl
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