Bloating can occur after consuming a meal, causing your stomach to temporarily swell. It’s an uncomfortable feeling typically caused by digestive muscle irritation or immoderate gas production. Here, learn what gastroenterologists recommend to beat stomach bloat and enjoy a flatter abdomen.

5 Ways To Avoid Stomach Bloat Issues

1. Chew Your Food Slowly

Focus on every meal and snack, and chew your food slowly. Thorough chewing keeps you from swallowing excess air and eating too quickly, which contribute to bloat. It also helps your body recognize that it’s full so you don’t overeat, which can also cause bloating in addition to weight gain.

2. Consume More Fiber

Increase fiber consumption to avoid constipation, another bloat trigger. Fiber adds bulk to your stool so you eliminate waste one or several times a day. Eat more fruits, vegetables, oats, quinoa, and legumes to keep your gastrointestinal system operating efficiently.

3. Get Tested For Food Allergies

Schedule allergy tests if you believe certain foods are contributing to bloat issues. Gastroenterologists recommend food allergy tests since reactions to lactose, fructose, wheat, and gluten trigger stomach bloat. Keep in mind that even small amounts of food you’re allergic to can cause your stomach to swell.

4. Choose Water Over Carbonated Beverages

Drink water over soda, beer, energy drinks, and other carbonated beverages that fill your stomach with air. Additional drinks that prevent and reduce bloating include peppermint tea and coconut water, which help the stomach muscles relax and regulate fluid levels, respectively.

5. Reduce Your Sodium Intake

Be mindful of your sodium consumption to reduce bloat and water retention issues that cause problems such as undereye puffiness. Processed, frozen, and canned foods are typically the highest in sodium, so stick to whole foods as much as possible to keep your stomach bloat-free. 

If you believe your bloating is part of a larger digestive disorder, contact the gastroenterologists at Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants. The gastroenterology center has served the City of Prospect and New Haven County, CT, since 1989, providing services such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and liver biopsies. Call (203) 756-6422 today to make an appointment or visit the gastroenterologists online for patient information.