Bloating is NOT Normal: Here’s How to Get Relief
If you're experiencing bloating on a regular basis, you're not alone—and it's not something you have to just live with. Bloating is a common issue, but it's important to understand that it's not a normal state for your body. If you find yourself bloated multiple times a week, it’s a signal from your body that something is off.
Today, I want to share some simple yet essential ways to reduce bloating and digestive discomfort. Having dealt with extreme bloating myself, I fully understand your struggle. The frustration of looking six months pregnant by the end of the day, every single day, is real. The confusion and discomfort can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know why it’s happening.
— Rather learn these tips in video format?
In this post, we’ll dive into 3 main areas:
What actually causes bloating
Which foods are likely making you bloated and what you can eat instead
How the way you're eating could be causing bloating, and one simple thing you can do to improve digestion
Lastly, as a bonus I’ll share my go-to supplement that has provided quick bloating relief for my clients for years.
What Causes Bloating?
Bloating can have numerous causes, but here are a few key factors to consider:
Not eating the right foods for your body: Your diet plays a huge role in how your digestive system functions. Certain foods may not agree with your system, leading to discomfort and bloating.
Low stomach acid: Contrary to popular belief, low stomach acid, not high, is often the cause of heartburn and bloating. With low stomach acid, your food isn’t properly digested, leading to bloating and other symptoms.
Overburdened liver and gallbladder: When these organs aren’t functioning optimally, it can lead to poor digestion and a build-up of toxins, both of which can cause bloating.
Slow transit time: If things aren’t moving quickly enough through your gastrointestinal tract, it can lead to constipation and bloating.
Build-up of bad bacteria: Eating and drinking things that feed bad bacteria in your gut can result in gas and bloating.
Improper eating habits: How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Rushed meals, overeating, and not allowing your body enough time to digest can all contribute to bloating.
Foods That Can Contribute to Bloating and What to Eat Instead
Certain foods are more likely to cause bloating, including:
Refined sugars: These can feed bad bacteria in the gut, leading to gas and bloating.
Gluten: Especially if you're eating conventional gluten or wheat, this can cause bloating, particularly for those with sensitivities.
Dairy: Many people have difficulty digesting dairy, leading to bloating and discomfort.
Instead of these foods, try focusing on:
Whole foods: Lower your intake of grains, sugars, and carbohydrates and increase animal-based proteins, vegetables (especially cooked ones), and healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado, and olives.
Bitter foods: Incorporate more dark leafy greens like arugula, Swiss chard, and radicchio. Bitter foods help your liver produce more bile, which aids in fat digestion and reduces bloating.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV): A natural way to boost stomach acid, ACV can help you better break down and digest proteins, fight bad bacteria, support your liver, and reduce bloating.
How to Eat to Reduce Bloating
How you eat can significantly impact your digestive health. Here are a couple of tips to help:
Meal spacing: Leave about four hours between meals. This gives your digestive system time to properly clear bacteria and waste, helping to reduce bloating.
Avoid eating three hours before bed: Eating late can hinder your digestive process, leading to bloating. Giving your body a break from food before bedtime allows your digestive system to rest, which can result in waking up feeling lighter and less bloated.
My Top Supplement for Reducing Bloating Fast
For fast bloating relief, I recommend using a high-quality digestive enzyme supplement. One of my top choices is Digestzymes by Designs for Health. This product provides broad-spectrum digestive support, which can help alleviate bloating quickly.
Digestzymes contains a blend of digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid (HCl), ox bile, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). These ingredients work together to:
Reduce and prevent bloating, gas, and other digestive discomforts
Support fat digestion, which can reduce nausea and bloating after meals
Aid in the digestion of gluten and dairy, which can be particularly beneficial if you’re exposed to these foods
For optimal results, I recommend that my clients take 1 capsule three times per day before each main meal. This supplement can be taken regularly or as needed, especially when you anticipate eating foods that might cause bloating. It is not to be taken if you have an ulcer or gastritis.
Looking for optimal support?
I have a bloating and gas relief bundle that contains 3 fantastic, practitioner-quality products to help you get bloating and gas relief FAST! It contains Digestzymes, Probiomed 50, which is a high quality probiotic, and magnesium glycinate chelate, which is a gentle magnesium to help support regular bowel movements, reducing bloating and other digestive symptoms while supporting stress and sleep.
(These are recommendations only, always consult with your healthcare provider.)
P.S. Have you subscribed to my new YouTube channel yet? I share weekly videos to help you nourish your body to overcome bloating, digestive pain and have abundant energy!
