Causes of Bloating & How to Reduce It

EVERY MONTH!

When we get our periods – we often get bloated

It’s annoying for sure! And I get a lot of questions about it – so let’s chat!

Causes of Bloating & How to Reduce It

What causes bloating

When we’re on our periods (women), some bloating naturally happens. This is normal and usually goes away after a day or two
When we eat too much food – more food than our bodies need. This is what most commonly happens to me!
Some foods: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), beans, true sensitivities to dairy or gluten
Too tight of clothing (e.g. high waisted pants) can cause gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort

How to Reduce Bloating

Cook your vegetables – they’re easier to digest than raw veggies
Eat prebiotic foods which include: apples, asparagus, garlic, onions, bananas, oatmeal
Eat probiotic foods which include a lot of fermented foods like: sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, yogurt, miso soup, kimchi
If you’re constipated: drink more water, move your body more (walking counts!), at eat foods high in soluble fiber that don’t contribute to bloating, including: avocados, pears, nectarines, apples, carrots, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts

I feel like we can’t not touch on cravings here also!

In my experience, cravings are much more psychological than anything physical or science based. If we tell ourselves over and over “I need chocolate on my period” or “I have to have fries on my period” – this thought will become a belief, and then you will think it’s a fact. But guess what, it’s not a fact! It’s just a thought, and you can choose to think something else 🙂