Try these bloat busters

“I don’t have a weight problem.  If I could just get rid of my tummy I’d be happy.”  This is a common refrain we hear from several women and a few men. With a sedentary lifestyle and not too much exercise, it appears that the first place where weight attaches itself to, is the waistline. Now with health experts proclaiming this to be a health risk, what do we do about this unhealthy bloating?

We have a few vegetables and fruits that are known “bloat blasters.”  Given below are some tasty vegetables and fruits that should help in cutting the bloating.

Cucumber: It is not coincidental that our meals include cucumber raitha, kosumari, or pacchadi in large quantities in the summer. They not only provide us with healthy cucumbers but act as fillers, preventing us from packing in other calorie-laden foods.  Cucumbers have the added advantage of allowing us to eat them as a stand alone snack. Remember, however, that they should not be eaten with salt as this negates the benefits. If you want to spice it up a bit, a dash of pepper or a sprinkle of lime juice will be delicious and healthy.

So, how do cucumbers help us?  They’re loaded with water, which helps stave off bloating, says nutrition expert Joy Bauer, author of The Joy Fit Club. They act as diuretics which make the stomach feel flatter.

Watermelon: Just like cucumbers, watermelons are full of water which,  fights bloating. It’s also less than 100 calories per wedge, and surprisingly not loaded with sugar.  Don’t add sugar or jaggery when eating watermelons.  They are sweet enough, and if eaten cold are delicious in themselves.

Banana: This one comes as somewhat of a surprise since we all tend to think of bananas as fattening.  However, if you eat something salty for dinner, just eat a banana the next morning.  Potassium-rich bananas offset the puffing that results from sodium-rich foods.  So, yes the banana actually acts as a bloat blaster.
Egg whites: An egg-white omelette not only acts as a diuretic to de-bloat you but also if you have this protein- rich food for breakfast, you feel full for so long that you are not likely to overeat during the day.

Red grapes: When in season, these pretty little fruits are wonderful to not only satisfy the cravings of one’s sweet tooth but also reduce gas and bloating.  Eaten cold from the fridge, they make a refreshing snack.

Dahi/yoghurt: Not only are curd and yoghurt full of protein and calcium, they help in digestion, giving you a flatter stomach in a shorter amount of time. Here again, ensure you take plain dahi or mixed with healthy vegetables or fruits; not with sugar or salt added, since that will cause water retention.

Iced coffee (or tea): With the multi-nationals selling carbonated drinks and cricket superstars endorsing them, it is no wonder that we are all hooked to them.  These drinks however, will make you feel really gassy.  An alternative is iced coffee or tea! This does not mean calorie-stuffed lattes.  If we opt for iced tea or coffee, ensure you do not add more than a teaspoon of sugar.

Almonds: We are all familiar with the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The new kid on the health block are almonds.  We could well say, “A handful of almonds a day will keep the bloating away.”

Almonds and pistachios are great non-bloating snacks, and yes, at the risk of repeating myself, unsalted. Their high-protein count also helps you feel fuller, faster.
These are just some of the commonly available easy-to-use bloat blasters.  There are more exotic ones like asparagus and avocados. A healthy eating plan can well cause you to have a flatter stomach after the bloat has been blasted away!