PUT THE KETTLE ON
To settle an already gassed-up belly,
sip on peppermint, ginger or fennel
tea; they contain compounds that
help relax the gastrointestinal tract.
Munching on a handful of fennel
seeds may also help.GO PRO
Probiotic yoghurts with live cultures may
help rebalance gut flora and settle the
tummy. A good serving is about 200g;
ideally, choose low- or no-fat varieties
with less than 12g sugar per 100g.PASS THE POTASSIUM
To help flush excess fluid naturally,
reach for potassium-rich foods.
These include bananas, mangoes,
rockmelon, watermelon, papaya,
raw tomatoes, carrots, salmon,
oats, sweet potatoes, unsalted
almonds, avocado and pistachios.GO SALT-FREE
Limit the amount of sodium in
your diet. We’re not just talking
about the salt shaker at the table;
many packaged and processed
foods, canned goods and takeaways
contain ridiculous amounts of
sodium that can unwittingly lead
to water retention and bloat.VISIT THE CHEMIST
Over-the-counter preparations can
offer relief by absorbing excess gas
in your belly. Look for activated
charcoal tablets or tummy taming
products containing the active
ingredient simethicone. Ask your
chemist if these can help you.BEWARE ARTIFICIAL
SWEETENERS
Watch out for low-carb, sugar-free
foods and drinks. They may contain
sugar alcohols such as maltitol,
sorbitol, xylitol and erithrytol that
are poorly digested in the large
intestine. These can linger and
ferment in your belly and lead to
painful gas and bouts of diarrhoea.foods and fixes
FLUIDS UP
Sip, sip and sip some more. Water
is best and it’s free and easy. Aim
for the proverbial eight glasses per
day, more if you’re super active or
it’s sizzling outside. Other liquids
such as tea, coffee and juice also
count towards your total fluid
intake. Not so fast on the margaritas
though, as alcohol dehydrates.BEAN CAREFUL!
Although legumes such as beans,
lentils and chickpeas are inherently
good nutritional choices, they can
lead to a puffy belly, especially if
you’re an infrequent consumer.
Steer clear of them leading up to
a big event where looking five
months’ pregnant isn’t part of your
plan! Same goes for cruciferous
vegies such as cauliflower,
cabbage, kale and broccoli.BE CARB CONSCIOUS
If you’re hoping to slip into
something slinky for a seasonalsoiree, avoid refined carbs. White
bread, pasta and rice, along with
pizza, pancakes, pretzels, bagels
and chips, can act as instant tummy
expanders in sensitive people.
Choose wholegrains instead and
add a little protein (such as egg
or grilled chicken) to go with it.HOLD THAT THOUGHT
Resist the urge to talk with a
mouthful of food; this can cause
you to swallow air that may lead
to discomfort. Unless you’re in
a race to see who can down the
most food in the least amount of
time, eat slowly with your mouth
closed (manners!), chew your food
until it’s apple-sauce mushy, avoid
carbonated drinks, drinking with
a straw, chewing gum, blowing
bubbles and sucking on hard
lollies. Smoking is a no-go as well.Photography Getty Images