Flat Belly Bride!

August 20, 2012

There is nothing worse than feeling bloated on any given day but especially on your wedding day! On that special day you want to feel bloat-free and fabulous! Most brides start thinking about dieting and exercising well before the Big Day, but there are some foods that you should avoid right before your day to make sure you are feeling great while walking down the aisle!

Beans and Cruciferous Vegetables

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Usually touted as “super foods”, beans and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and broccoli, can create a bloated, uncomfortable belly. Elements of these veggies are hard to break down and create unnecessary gas, which may make you unpopular while you walk down the aisle! Swap these vegetables for cucumbers, lettuce and spinach, which work to decrease bloat.

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Artificial Sweetener

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Being calorie conscience usually means avoiding sugar, but the artificial alternatives may be worse! Artificial sweeteners are often very difficult for the body to digest, leading to discomfort. If you can’t do without some sweetness in your life, try Stevia, a natural, calorie free sweetener.

Alcohol, Carbonated Beverages and Junk Food!

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If you’ve ever tied one on, you know the bloated, gross feeling of a day-after bender. Hungover is not a good look on anyone, especially the bride! Indulging too much also leads to eating junk food the next day and, very often, skipping your workout. In the weeks leading up to your wedding, try to limit your alcohol consumption. Not only will your liver thank you, your skin and belly will be much happier! Also try to avoid carbonated beverages, all those bubbles create unwanted bubbles in your stomach!

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Salt

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Sodium can make you feel like a bloat float. If you’ve ever eaten a few too many chips, you know the feeling. Sodium makes you retain water, which explains that feeling. Try to limit your intake to 2,300 mg per day to ward off water retention. To spice up your food, try chili peppers. They will add flavor to your food and contain Capsaicin, which increases metabolism and curbs food cravings.

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Dairy and Gluten

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These well known allergens can cause more trouble than they are worth! Besides being calorie dense, these foods can cause gas, bloating and cramps. These foods are also typical groups that are eliminated during an elimination diet. An elimination diet focuses on eating nutritious, whole foods and bans alcohol, caffeine, dairy and gluten. This diet is a great way to decrease bloat and get healthy before your wedding. Many times, you can find out that you have food sensitivities by eliminating different foods and then reintroducing them slowly and gauging your gut’s reaction to them.

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