Do you feel like you can't enjoy your food anymore? Does the thought of painful gas, a swollen stomach, and a backed-up gut take the enjoyment out of your meals? You’re not alone. Bloating is a miserable experience. Nobody wants to feel like they're stuffed into their jeans with no way to escape. But there’s hope! So, the next time you find yourself sprawled out on your couch in misery, try one of my top five bloat-buster go-to’s:

1. Reduce your dairy intake
2. Cut back on sodium
3. Decrease your carbs and eat slowly
4. Keep yourself hydrated
5. A healthy 5-day cleanse

Why Do We Bloat?

So, what’s the story behind the unpleasant experiences of bloating? It can hit at any time, any meal, and has ruined an event or two for all of us, right? But understanding the possible reasons behind the bloat can help you in your quest to prevent it.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that bloating is brought on by poor eating habits. The truth is, any change in your regular dietary routine can cause some bloating. Although it seems like an unfair way to be rewarded for your efforts to cleanse and reset your body, there are ways to help subside the discomforts of bloating. Your body needs a little time to get used to your new healthy lifestyle. Flooding your system with all those good-for-you foods at once can cause a little upset at first. As soon as your digestive system adjusts to the new changes, you'll be good to go – and so will that bloat. 

Bloating can also be brought on by the buildup of bacteria within your colon. The bacteria can cause bouts of gas after enough fiber is digested. Unfortunately, an imbalance of fiber in your diet can also bring on the dreaded bloat woes, so finding your happy medium helps. Even liquids tend to irritate your gut and wreak a little havoc, including:

• Gas pains
• Constipation
• Hardened tummy

Various health issues can also be your bloat culprit, including:

• Acid reflux
• Lactose intolerance
• IBS

Do Away with Dairy

It's incredible how many people don't know they are battling some level of lactose intolerance. It may cause skin irritations, bacteria buildup, constipation, or diarrhea. And yes, it's likely causing your curled up, stomach-clutching episodes of bloating.

Cut Back on Sodium

Sodium is known for causing the kidneys to retain water. When you make an effort to cut back on your sodium intake, you’ll allow all that excess water to be flushed from your kidneys and reduce your bloat. Hello again, flat tummy!

Cut Back on Carbs and SLOW DOWN

Carbs can undoubtedly play a role in stirring up your bloat issues. But did you know it's also affected by how quickly you're shoveling it in that causes trouble? I like carbs as much as the next person, but cut back and slow it down, friends! Your gut will thank you for it.

Hydrate!

Keeping your body hydrated offers a tremendous amount of health and beauty benefits. Not to mention, it’s a simple and effective way to promote beautiful skin. Who wouldn’t want that? We’re all guilty of not drinking enough water, but when it comes to bloating, water can be a tremendous help in your cleanse and reset efforts. It helps create soft stool, reducing your constipation. You'll be able to pass gas more easily and, ultimately, reduce your bloating issues. 

A 5-Day Cleanse

When you cleanse and reset your body, you work to repair the damage done by toxins and waste buildup. A safe and effective cleanse offers a healthy, nutritious way to remove toxins that are causing trouble. And that includes your episodes of bloating. When you choose to cleanse and reset the right way, your body will be flooded with essential nutrients to begin the healing process. You’ll target and reduce inflammation throughout your entire body. A simple 5-day cleanse will send a wave of antioxidants and amino acids to restore your cells, beat the bloat, and leave behind a wealth of other fabulous health benefits to enjoy.

Choosing the Right Cleanse

Not all cleanses will offer you safe, nutrient-filled benefits. My 5-day cleanse is packed with collagen-rich bone broth. Bone broth provides your body all the right soothing nutrients your gut needs to heal, repair, and fight bloating. In just five short days, your entire body will go through an incredible transformation. From day one of your 5-day cleanse, you’ll start noticing those awful bloating symptoms are already decreasing. Soon, you’ll enjoy meals again, feel fantastic after you eat, and put an end to canceled or ruined events and nights out. You won’t feel too full to budge or worry about staying near the comforts of your toilet. It’s a cleanse and reset filled with hydrating foods that are light, super nutritious, and gentle on your gut. Coating your digestive tract with collagen-rich bone broth will leave you wondering why you put up with inflammation and bloating for so long.

 Cleanse and Reset the Right Way

 During your 5-Day cleanse, you’ll follow my simple guidelines and fill up on my delicious recipes:

• Limit your intake of fruits and vegetables, temporarily, to give your digestive system time to adjust to the changes.
• Cut back on fiber supplements you may currently be taking. My 5-day cleanse has the perfect amount. Build back up slowly after you’ve completed the cleanse. 
• Start to SLOWLY build back up to your desired level of fruits and veggies. A slow increase will help prevent bloating.
• Be aware of particular foods and liquids that cause you to bloat. Knowing your triggers is a huge win! If you feel those pesky symptoms trying to make an appearance, try one of my handy tricks:
• Start to eat smaller portions and build up slowly
• Reduce your intake of fat. Yes, even healthy fats.
• Give your gut more time to digest. Your version of slow may not be your gut’s version. Try a small portion of a snack, rest a moment, then another.

Don’t you think it’s time to enjoy your food again? You deserve to look and feel fabulous! End those days of clutching your swollen tummy or doubling over in gassy agony. It’s time for a cleanse and reset.

Keep thinking Big and living BOLD!