You’re getting your workouts in, you’re eating only the healthiest of meals. But for some reason, you still look fluffy and not as toned as you know you should. If this is you, you just might be bloated. Sometimes, even our healthy habits can wreak havoc on our digestive systems and bodies, causing a bloated belly and physical discomfort.
Bloating can be triggered by pretty much anything from hormones, to digestive issues, to eating artificial sugars. And while it’s totally natural to have a little bloat from time to time, there are ways to keep it from ruining your flat belly goals.
How to Get Rid of Bloated Belly
Check out this list of habits that may be standing in the way of your six-pack, and learn how you can slim down in a matter of days by avoiding these belly-bloaters.
Not Drinking Enough Water
One cause of a bloated belly can be excess water retention. When your body holds onto too much water, you might look swollen and puffy in your face, joints, and in your midsection. It may seem counterintuitive to drink more water if you are bloated, however, drinking plenty of water on a regular basis can help your body rid itself of excess water.
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When you’re hydrated, you keep your body’s cells from going into survival mode and hanging on to excess fluid.
To combat bloat caused by dehydration, start every day with at least an 8-ounce glass of water, and drink at least 64 ounces every day to help your body function properly and avoid bloating. Water temperature matters too.
Whenever possible, try to drink room temperature or warm water after meals to help your body’s digestive process.
Eating Too Much Salt
Just as your body can hold onto water if you don’t get enough, consuming too much sodium or salty foods can force your body to store water to offset the amount of sodium in your body.
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When you consume too much salt, your body instinctively tries to hang on to every drop of water it can to dilute the sodium levels. But once you cut back on salt, you’ll quickly notice that your body flushes excess liquids and it won’t take as much water to maintain proper hydration.
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In this case, it’s important to listen to your body. If you’re thirstier than usual, take a look at what you’ve been eating as make adjustments to reduce the salt and increase your H20.
