Flat-Belly Foods for Outdoor Celebrations

Beat the bloat with these tips!

You friend’s backyard barbecue is tonight, and you want the flattest belly possible but one too many sodas or a few too many salty chips and your pants won’t zip. Bummer! Beat the abdominal bloat by preparing for your skinny jeans ahead of time. Here are a few tips for maintaing a flat-belly through the outdoor summer celebrations:

Eat Enough Fiber

Without enough fiber and fluids your digestive system can become irregular. To avoid a bloated belly due to constipation, eat a diet especially high in fiber before any party that so you can enjoy a BBQ or any holiday get-together happily in a bikini top. Try foods like whole grains, fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. You’ll need to also drink plenty of fluids, especially water, (about, 6-8 glasses).

Eat Slowly

Holiday events are a time to be social and enjoy all of the wonderful foods that bring family and friends together to celebrate. Since these kinds of occasions are a time when overeating becomes almost expected, being social and not overeating can be tricky. However, eating slowly allows you to avoid bloating because digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing slowly and taking time to taste your food will not only help you beat the bloat, it’ll also help you eat less.

Limit Sodium Intake

The chips and salsa are delicious but those chips also contribute to a bloated belly and a sluggish feeling. Look for labels on bags like Low-Sodium, or Sodium Free to help you keep your sodium intake under 500 mg a day.

Flat-Belly Foods

Foods and drinks that have been suggested to reduce bloating include peppermint tea, ginger, parsley, pineapple, and foods that contain probiotics (beneficial bacteria). Fruit juices like lemonade, orange juice and other highly acidic fruit juices can cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, and cause swelling. Drinking these beverages in moderation can help keep your tummy looking trim while you celebrate.

Belly-Bloating Foods

Foods and drinks to avoid include foods seasoned with black pepper, cloves, chili pepper, hot sauce, onions, garlic, mustard, barbecue sauce, horseradish and ketchup. These seasonings and sauces trigger the release of stomach acid and cause irritation that often causes a bloated tummy. Fried foods are harder to digest and since they digest more slowly can leave you feeling bloated and feeling heavy. If you are into fatty foods, try cooking fried foods in an oil that contains “healthy” fats like olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil. These oils make fried foods healthier because they contain essential fatty acids your body needs to maintain cellular function, and healthy cholesterol levels.

Memorial Day kicks off the start of summer and while it is wonderful to be able to wear revealing tops that show off your beautiful summer skin, remember that flat tummies aren’t meant to last. Outdoor holiday parties, BBQ’s and picnics are a great chance to enjoy the body you’ve worked so hard for. But if you’re looking to have a flat tummy long-term, fasting, skipping meals or only eating foods that help flatten your belly isn’t a way to lose weight. Looking good at celebrations feels great, and you deserve it. So follow these simple tips to keep sizzling in your skinny jeans.

 

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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