How to beat bloating this Christmas

Some effective solutions with a guide on quitting sugar

The Christmas gatherings are in full flow at this stage. Work, friends, schools, sports club or maybe it’s just a gathering with the girls or boys (any excuse). There is nothing nicer that getting dressed up, I know for sure that I don’t do it often enough.
I have for a long time suffered from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I’m sure that many of you know what that is but for those of you that don’t, it presents its self with a lot of different symptoms and everyone is different, but I suffered from lots of gurgling noses in my tummy, massive amounts of bloating and very unsociable toilet habits. Let’s just say I knew where the loo was at all times. Going out was a nightmare, because of the bloating, I often felt I was 6 months pregnant and looked it too. This is what attracted me into studying Nutritional Therapy, for my own health so that I could eat and feel good and not have my embarrassing symptoms, now I’m really good, I pretty much never have any bloating, gurgling sounds, constipation or diarrhea. Getting dressed up is a treat, and I love it.
Here are some of my solutions for bloating:
Any of the advice is only what worked for me and I will stress it’s very personal and individual also please note if you are going to take any supplements always check with your health care professional for contra indication with medication.
Food Intolerance Test / Elimination diet. 
This is one of the best solutions for bloating. So I’m talking about IgG test, that’s a finger prick of blood and it’s sent away to a lab. It’s based on ELISA: enzyme linked immune- sorbet assay. This is the faster way to detect any food intolerance. The elimination diet is the other option where you remove the most common types of foods for a period of time and then you reintroduced one at a time. Still very effective. 
Probiotics
Taking a probiotics, not the drinks in the supermarkets, I’m referring to supplements, they normally come in capsules for adults. Probiotics contain a mixture of different strain of good bacteria that will help to improve bloating and also reduces wind, pain and abdominal pain. These little gems help to kill of the bad bacteria and repopulate the gut with the good bacteria.
 
Herbs
There are a few herbs that are really beneficial to bloating. Here are a few. Peppermint oil, ginger and aloe vera (Check the sweeteners with the type of aloe vera), again you purchase this form from a health food shop. Mostly in capsules, but you can also chew on the mint leaves that you can purchase from a supermarket. Peppermint is a natural digestive helper. This amazing herb helps to relax the muscles in the GI tract, support the cramps and tightness. 
Sugar    
I cannot stress enough the effects of sugar on the body. Especially bloating and causing massive amounts of inflammation in other areas in the body. I’m not just talking about the table sugar; this is everything from granulated, caster, icing, brown, demerara, muscovado. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose or acesulfame potassium. These are present in all sweets, biscuits, buns, cakes, chocolate, pastries, alcohol and bread. Sugar is very addictive and when you start eating it you want more and more. Have you ever struggled to move away from the cookie jar or stop after 2 biscuit’s? Let me give you little present - this is my FREE FORMULA ON HOW TO QUIT SUGAR. Just click the link and confirm your address. Guaranteed to stop your bloating! 
Stress & Digestion
Stress and digestion go hand and hand when it comes to bloating. When we are stressed it is the wrong time to eat your meals, your still waiting on that LION to appear. Your body is focusing on getting you away from the LION, not the food waiting to be digested. I see a lot with my clients, bloating in their tummies and it’s really a lack of digestive enzymes & stress. Eating a colorful variety of seasonal vegetables will help the issue to. Find out what the stress is and address it, maybe its time to get a new job. You know what it is!  Slow down when you eat and chew properly.
The above solutions have really helped me with my bloating and keeping my diet really clean, unprocessed foods, finding my triggers foods and above all removing sugar. 
If you would like any more help with your bloating you can give me an email at [email protected]. I’m available for online or phone consultations. Make next year a healthy one!
Until the next time, I would like to wish you and your family the happiest and healthiest Christmas.
Betty x.   
Read more from Betty here

Betty O'Neill

Betty O'Neill is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and a registered member of the NTOI (Nutritional Therapies of Ireland). She is extremely passionate about all things to do with food and nutrition.

Read more by Betty
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