Daily habits that could be making you bloated!

I want to start by saying - bloating is totally normal! It's the getting bloated everyday and after every meal that's not right. Being bloated can also get really uncomfortable!! But don't fear - there are habits in your daily life that you can address to try and help the issue!

1. Chew your food more!

 Bloating can be a result of not chewing your food enough and your digestive system having to work overtime to break down your food. So do your insides a favor and get to chewing! If you think you're done chewing then chew for 5 more seconds. 

2. You could be taking in too much air when you eat or when you drink through a straw. 

 Talking a lot or breathing a lot through your mouth while you're eating can cause you to take in unwanted air bubbles! Try dropping the straw, breathing through your nose and not talking while you're eating. 

3. Drink more water!

Drinking water helps push all the food you eat through your digestive system. Also, water helps with bloating in general. Your body needs water and a lot of it. Dehydration leads to constipation and that leads to bloating. It may seem counterintuitive to drink water when you're bloated but once you're finally hydrated, your body can let go of the liquid it doesn't need. 

4. Not enough fiber or too much fiber! 

 You want a happy medium amount when it comes to fiber intake! If you don't get enough then you won't have any "bulk" to your poops and they won't move through you easily. If you eat too much fiber then you have too much bulk and it still will not move through easily! Finding out how much is just enough for you on a regular basis is important. 

5. Stretch more!

Stretching and engaging your core massages your digestive system. It gets those muscles inside your body to open up and move around, allowing food move through more easily.

6. You may be eating something that doesn't agree with you

 If you've addressed all the above suggestions and you're STILL having serious issues then you might want to take a good look at your diet. Some super common foods that people are intolerant to are wheat (gluten) and milk. You may want to try removing them from your diet one at a time to see if taking it out makes you feel better. 

Of course, if you're feeling uncomfortable or having issues then you should talk to a health professional to make sure everything is ok!