Time to read: 3 min
Bloated stomach during the holidays? Here's how to get rid of it
During the holidays, you can feel bloated and sluggish. What causes bloating: the breakfasts with Christmas bread, the lack of physical activity? We solve this recurring mystery every year and also give you 5 tips as a gift. After all, it's Christmas.
Digestion
Let's be honest: if you don't move, your digestion also slows down. Those canceled dates you had with the treadmill don't help. The way your digestion works day to day and how your stomach feels has a lot to do with movement. However, less physical activity is not the main cause of bloating.
Foodbaby
What really matters is the type of food you consume during the holidays: salty and greasy. All those trays of snacks, chips, and treats don't sit well with you. Add to that the fact that you're probably drinking more alcohol and less water than usual. The result: bloating to the max.
Buffer
Christmas is usually not the time when you eat a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits (in proportion). This also plays a role because vegetables and fruits act as a natural buffer for salty food. Your digestion immediately reacts to the salty and greasy food, explaining your bloated belly.
The good news: most of the extra weight is not fat, but extra fluid that you're retaining.
What to do?
There are a few things you can do to reduce bloating.
1. Take a stroll
You don't have to do relays in your parents' living room, but make sure to get some basic daily exercise. A good habit can be to take a short walk after dinner every day. Even a hundred steps can give your digestion a significant boost.
2. A salad a day
Make a salad as a side dish every day to have a buffer for absorbing salts, or take a scoop of Orangefit Greens. Fiber also helps, so make sure to get some extra in your diet.
3. Drink smart
If you drink alcohol, don't forget to hydrate extra well. If it's been a late and fun night, start your morning with a large glass of lukewarm water with lemon.
4. Snack in moderation
The number one culprit for retaining excess fluids is sodium-rich food. Asian dishes with soy sauce, pizza, processed meats, and fried or baked snacks are full of sodium. If you're eating out, be aware that you'll likely exceed the recommended daily sodium intake. We know it's a lot to ask, and it's not realistic to completely avoid fried snacks during the holidays. If you can't resist, just regroup the next day and get back on track.
5. Add a beverage
Having a juice in the morning with your sandwiches can also help. Focus on potassium-rich juices, like celery juice. Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates fluid balance in your body and is important for blood pressure and the nervous system. No time to make your own juice? Add a scoop of Orangefit Greens to your glass of water.
Basically,
The extra pounds or your bloated stomach are mostly due to your body retaining extra water from eating salty and fatty foods. It's not fat. Maybe a part of it, but most of it automatically disappears after a few days/weeks.
Want to reduce the chance of a bloated stomach? Eat smart and exercise daily. Have a salad as an appetizer and steamed vegetables as a side dish. Do a workout in the morning or take one or more walks outside during the day.
- Fitblogs
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