In case you haven\u2019t noticed, we have a very knowledgeable panel of experts listed in the right hand sidebar of this blog. You can ask them anything (preferably related to watermelon) and they\u2019ll take a crack at answering it. One of those experts is Elizabeth Somer, M.A.,R.D. Elizabeth is a nutritionist, dietician, watermelon lover, and the author of several books. She\u2019s also today\u2019s guest blogger!<\/p>\n
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Who hasn\u2019t had one of those days when you can\u2019t get your \u201cfat\u201d jeans to zip up? Your eyes are puffy, your canvas shoes are too tight, your stomach resembles a water balloon, and you feel like you\u2019ve gained 10 pounds since lunch. One in every 10 people report being frequently bothered by bloating. The good news is, all of this is avoidable!<\/p>\n
There are two basic causes of bloating. First, if you are puffy all over, that\u2019s water retention. The one-two punch to beat it is to cut back on sodium and consume more water. (That\u2019s right, consume more <\/i>water!)<\/p>\n
Give up the salty junk, like processed and fast foods, and consume more liquids to dilute the sodium in your body so your kidneys can flush out excess fluid. Watermelon is Mother Nature\u2019s natural diuretic. It\u2019s 92% water, low in sodium, and rich in another mineral \u2013 potassium \u2013 which makes it the perfect combo for flushing out sodium and being bloat-free. Compliment that watermelon snack with enough water throughout the day so your urine is pale yellow.<\/p>\n
Second, if it\u2019s only your tummy that\u2019s pooching, that\u2019s probably gas. Typically, too much gas-forming foods, such as legumes, sugary or highly refined grains, and even dairy products and wheat for some people, can cause gas when bacteria that live in your colon dine on leftovers your small intestine didn\u2019t digest. The result is bloating and discomfort. Cut back or cut out these foods, eat frequent small meals, and avoid chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages, and wolfing down a meal where you swallow air that ends up as gas later on.<\/p>\n
As always, if your discomfort or bloating is chronic or painful, you should consult your physician to rule out a serious medical digestive disorder. But if it\u2019s just water retention or gas, following these tips should help you beat the bloat in 2014!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In case you haven\u2019t noticed, we have a very knowledgeable panel of experts listed in the right hand sidebar of this blog. You can ask them anything (preferably related to watermelon) and they\u2019ll take a crack at answering it. One of those experts is Elizabeth Somer, M.A.,R.D. Elizabeth is a nutritionist, dietician, watermelon lover, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1376","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-general","7":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n