Beat the Bloat

Bloated? There’s Help!

We all have experienced the symptoms of bloating: feeling tight, swollen, "pants-won't-fit", and just those feelings of the extra pound "blahs". Yet while these symptoms produce discomfort, they are also easily treatable. Here are a few simple ways to combat bloating: NATURALLY:

1) Greek Yogurt: Contains more healthy fats and almost twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt. This dynamic duo induces your body tissue to release trapped fluids. According to UCLA researchers, a cup of Greek yogurt a day can help shed up to 4 pounds of "false fat" (excess fluid) per week. Greek yogurt also contains digestion-friendly probiotics bacteria which decrease the production of gas (another symptom of bloating).

2) Cucumbers: Munching on this cool, refreshing, crisp vegetable can eliminate bloating in as little as 3 days. Cucumbers are rich in silicon and sulfur (both diuretic minerals), thus boosting kidney function to increase urine output. Trapped liquids be gone!

3) Iced Tea: Iced tea combines water, caffeine and polyphenols signal the hypothalamus in the brain to REDUCE the production of vasopressin. Vasopressin is considered the "bloat hormone". Who needs that?