Bikini season is closer than you think! It's always a little dreadful to think about slipping on a bathing suit or cute summer dress just months after proudly storing food in my gut from winter hibernation. For the summer months, my goal is to avoid the belly bloat and get my belly to look and feel its best. A simple way to avoid the belly bulge is to stay away from foods that naturally cause bloating. Find out the culprits so you can rock your flattest belly EVER with confidence this summer!
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Image via Corbis
Gum
Chewing gum may seem like a good idea to curb your cravings, but it actually isn't the greatest for your waistline. Chewing gum causes pesky bloating. The reason is because you're swallowing air while you chew. Sorry to pop your bubble!
Carbonated drinks
Americans reportedly consume 9 billion cases of carbonated drinks a year. Although we love the fizzy stuff, it's really a terrible trigger for causing unsightly bloating and belly bulge. Stick to drinking water and your bikini belly will thank you for it later.
Apricots
Apricots are sweet and delicious, but cause bloating since they're high in polyols. Since the body retains more liquid with this compound, it causes bloating we don't want during bikini season.
Milk
Milk does a body good, but it could also cause bloating if you're lactose intolerant. Switch to snacking on yogurt, calcium-based juices or lactose-reduced milk.
Piña colada
Who doesn't get tempted to drink a piña colada or fruity mixed cocktail at the beach? The issue is that these drinks are high in sugar and fructose. After you sip up, your belly will feel the bloating kick in. Is it worth it? You have to think about that one!
Potato chips
Skip on packing these to your next beach or poolside trip. Chips and other foods that are high-sodium cause the body to retain water, which leads to bloating. Go for multi-grain unsalted pita chips or carrots instead.
Apples
Apples lower the risk of heart disease and definitely should not be cut from your diet, but avoid snacking the the fruit before throwing on your bikini. They contain natural sugars and fructose that causes puffiness around your belly.
Cabbage
Cabbage is super great for your digestive system and should not be taken out of your diet. However, if you're looking to keep a flat belly while you tan (with sunblock on), you may want to avoid it. Cabbage contains a sugar called raffinose, which can be difficult to digest and can cause bloating.
Processed foods
Frozen and processed foods may wake up your taste buds, but they contain high levels of sodium. Make sure you look at the nutritional facts and go for a product that's low in sodium. It'll make a difference on your belly.
Asparagus
Similar to cabbage, asparagus contains a natural sugar called raffinose, which causes bloating. Eating it cooked and along other roasted veggies could help decrease the amount of fluff it causes on the belly.
