While festival preparations are in full swing, bloating, and gassiness are your unwelcome guests. This Diwali does not let the fear of bloating come your way. 

Here are some easy and practical tips to beat your bloating and enjoy the festivities. 

1. NEVER COMPROMISE ON YOUR FIBRE

During festival season, your cravings are at a peak with all the surrounding delicacies and you end up overindulging. Bloating is the aftermath of your overindulgence. One way to prevent this binging is maintaining your hunger and that’s where fiber helps you. Fiber coming from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains will keep you satiated and are also excellent for preventing constipation. So, this Diwali, do not replace your fiber with sugary treats. Alongside of every meal, have a cup of either fruits or vegetables or a gram sabzi. They will keep you feeling full and prevent the extra servings.

2. TONE DOWN YOUR SALTY FOODS

Chaklis, pakora, namkeen, samosa and what not. They are crunchy, tasty, and never enough to feel full. All this excessive salt in your body causes water retention and makes you feel bloated and gassy. There is no need to completely avoid these snacks but consume them in moderation.

3. SPREAD YOUR MEALS

Festivals are the time when most of us are in “Feast fast mode”. This is not going to help your gut and also fuel your bloating.  Throughout the day spread your meals evenly. During a meal, be mindful of what you are eating and save your extra serving for the next meal. These small meals will help you with digestion and prevent abdominal discomfort.

4. LIMIT SUGARY TREATS 

It is Diwali and you cannot resist sugary treats but concern arises when you go beyond your limits.  Sugars from simple carbs like mithais and chocolates when taken in excess might not suit your gut. These excessive sugars which are not broken down can settle in your intestine and become treats for the “bad bacteria”. And you end up feeling gassy. You can limit your intake by making a wise choice of what sweets you want and relish them completely bite by bite. 

5. LIMIT CARBONATED BEVERAGES

Carbonated beverages generally contain carbon dioxide and when you gulp them down excessively you will be feeling the bloat. Instead, have some plain water or homemade sherbets to stay hydrated.

6. FENNEL TEA

Herbal teas like ginger tea and fennel tea have anecdotal evidence of relieving abdominal bloating and indigestion and are traditionally used as remedies. After a hearty meal and refreshing nap, you can have a cup of fennel tea to prevent or relieve bloating. You can prepare the tea by crushing some fennel seeds and seeping them in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. 

7. INCLUDE DAHI IN YOUR MEAL

Your Dahi is an unsung hero in preventing your festival bloat. Curd is a prebiotic containing good bacteria like lactobacillus. These good bacteria will help in better digestion of foods and prevent unnecessary bloating. During any of your meals include a cup of curd as such or as raitas. If you are not a fan of curd you can try yogurt. Yogurt also has the same calming effect on your tummy.

THE BOTTOM LINE

During festival season, bloating is mostly associated with overindulgence and giving in to your cravings. You can easily manage your bloating by staying mindful of what and how much you eat. Practice these tips to enjoy a safe and healthy Diwali.