How to debloat in less than 48h

Although, it might not look like it, bloating is something I suffer from quite frequently. It is something I’ve had to deal with my whole life and still deal with on a daily basis. Contrary to popular beliefs, I unfortunately wasn’t born with a fast and easy metabolism. Quite the opposite actually, my stomach is very sensitive to changes in my diet and my environment. My body easily gets stressed from not eating the right foods that week or simply getting on a plane and poof… I start to feel like the Michelin man. Let’s face it… travel bloat is real! I thought I was the only one who suffered from it, but after sharing on IG stories how I constantly struggle with it, so many of you replied saying you had the exact problem. I’m not sure what causes it (the altitude of the plane, stress), and this might be TMI, but traveling always gets me backed up.

But what to do if you need to wear a bikini or a skintight dress for an event the next day and your stomach looks and feel like you swallowed a basketball? Not only is bloat uncomfortable (and painful), but it can sabotage your mood like no other. I’m sure everyone can relate to this all too well.

I’ve had a sensitive digestive system since I was a teenager and because of it, I’ve had to learn to be cautious of my eating habits. Throughout the years, I’ve gathered a few tips and tricks that have helped me deal with that stubborn belly bloat.

Here are the 6 simple rules I follow when I need to debloat fast!

1. But first….

The first thing I do when I wake up that truly gets my digestive system going is coffee. I can not start my day without it and I religiously have one to two cups every morning. Coffee is a well-known laxative, and helps promotes peristalsis, also known as contractions in your large intestine that stimulate bowel movements. Therefore, drinking a cup or two of strong, black coffee may quickly lead to a bowel movement and provide you with relief. However, coffee can also dehydrate you, so make sure not to overdo it or it might have the opposite effect.

2. Bottoms up!

Probably the most boring tip is, of course… WATER!  This might sound like the most basic trick you’ve heard (I know, I’m tired of hearing it as well, trust me), but there’s a reason this magic potion seems to be the cure to all our problems. On days where I feel bloated, I try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water. This might sounds weird, but personally, I hate the taste of plain cold water. That’s why I love adding lemon, mint and even berries to naturally add flavor. What seems to work even better for me however is hot water. You can make an unsweetened hot tea or I sometimes simply  add a few slices of lemon to plain hot water and I promise it will definitely help just move things along down there (if you know what I mean).

3. Probiotics

My second favorite tip is probiotics. Probiotics can be found in different forms (Kombucha, carbonated drinks, capsules, gummies, etc…) but my favorite is a simple yogurt. I started eating at least one yogurt a day and it has made the biggest difference in my digestive system! One of my favorite brands is Activia and Yakult (which are the ones you can just drink on the go), but honestly any yogurt will help. And for all my vegans/dairy-free people out there, there are also some delicious almond milk based ones that will do the trick. If you’re not a fan of yogurt, you can try taking a probiotic supplement, but I personally haven’t seen the best results from them (though I do still take them from time to time).

4. Get Your Fruits & Veggies in

Before a big event where I want my stomach to look extra flat, I try to eliminate all processed food and eat nothing but fruits, veggies and fruit-and-vegetable-based meals (for example, salads, smoothies and soups). They instantly help detoxify and clean my digestive system, not to mention they are high in fiber. However, if your bloating is due to gas, I would avoid vegetables linked to intestinal gas like beans, lentils, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc…

5. Good carbs, Bad carbs

However, I have to admit, I can’t live without my carbs. So what I do when I need a little something extra in my diet, I simply replace all my processed carbs with healthier ones. For example, ditch that sliced white bread for a whole grain one. Quinoa is by far my all time favorite healthy carb; It’s quite filling, taste amazing if seasoned right, not to mention it contains a ton of protein. Lastly, oatmeal is also something that my body finds very easy to digest and doesn’t leave me bloated.

6. Flaxseed

The last tip I can give you guys is adding ground flaxseed to your diet. Flaxseed is known for its laxative properties because of its high fiber content. Just one tablespoon of flaxseed contains 3.3 grams of fiber. My favorite way to eat it is simply sprinkling some on top of yogurt, but you can also add it to salads, oatmeal, soups or anything really. Trust me, just one tablespoon a day can make a difference.

If you strictly follow these 6 simple steps, I guarantee it will help you get a flatter stomach in less than 48h. I religiously follow these steps 2 days prior and during my travels to help with plane bloat and I swear by them. Hope these tips will help you beat the bloat and have you feeling like your best self in no time!

Let me know in the comments below if you enjoy these types of health related posts and want more of them.

Thank you for reading!

xoxo