People always look forward to special gatherings and parties during the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one as a guest, we all know that everyone’s definitely looking forward to the food!
There’s plenty of decadent and delicious dishes and desserts lining the table at every holiday party, and they’re quite difficult to resist. Though Christmas comes only once a year, there’s still some guilt attached to having indulged in all those tasty treats. After all, eating any dish that isn’t all that healthy or well-balanced may lead to some consequences, and bloating is definitely one of them.
Bloating usually occurs after consumption of specific foods and beverages. The main triggers can be overeating, hard to digest foods, and foods that produce bubbles. These can instigate a gas buildup that can cause huge discomfort for hours, or worse, days.
So, how can you prevent bloating during the holidays? Here’s a list of food and drinks you might want to stay away from:
Beer
As hard as it is to miss out on holiday drinking, dropping the bottle might turn out to be a great decision. Beer can be worse than other carbonated drinks because the alcohol encourages the proliferation of bacteria in the small intestine, thereby giving you a bloated feeling.
Dairy
People who are sensitive to casein or lactose will bloat easily after intaking anything that has dairy. Butter, cheese, cream, milk, yogurt, ice cream, and pudding are just some of the things you might have to cut back on during holiday dinners.
High-Fat Foods
Fried and greasy foods can slow down digestion. The more time the food is fermented in your digestive tract, the higher the chance of gas buildup.
Soy
Tofu and other soy products can ferment in your gut after you ingest them. The fermentation process can produce gases that cause bloating.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Certain vegetables contain the complex sugar raffinose which can release lots of gas. These include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and kale.
Too Much Sugar
Fruit juice, bbq sauce. Ketchup, and spaghetti sauce are just some of the holiday foods that loaded with sugar. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your gut. These bacteria, in turn, produce gases that will make you feel bloated.
Too Much Salt
Foods high in sodium like ham, bacon, caviar, and anchovies will make you retain more water. These will leave you bloated and puffy as well.
Too Much Fiber
Although fiber can relieve bloating, too much of it can cause bloating, too. Apples and pears are high-fiber fruits with water-soluble pectin. It is a kind of fiber that is slower to digest and gives a feeling of fullness for a long time.
Apart from feelings of discomfort, bloating can keep you from wearing that holiday outfit you’ve been excited to wear. Fortunately, bloating is unlike the pockets of fat around the belly, which may take more time to go away as it requires a consistent healthy lifestyle
Got some stubborn pockets of fat on your body? You might be a good candidate for liposuction! Give us a call at 972-627-4175 or book online for a free consultation at any of our three locations in Dallas, Plano, and Southlake. Our team of plastic surgery experts led by Dr. Sacha Obaid can help you achieve a slender waist and a flat belly so you can feel confident in whatever holiday garb you’ve got prepared!