Wellbeing

Beating the wedding day bloat

Feeling bloated and puffy is a terrible sensation at any time, but it’s especially horrible when it happens just before your wedding day. It happens at some point to most of us – but is there any way that you can prevent it from happening and casting a shadow over your celebrations?

“Certain foods cause bloating when a person is allergic or intolerant to them,” says nutritionist Geoffrey Axiak. “They cause a reaction in the body which can be manifested in many ways, one of which is bloating.  Certain kinds of food also cause flatus (gas), and this can lead to bloating.”

Bloating caused by gas

While vegetables are a key part of a healthy diet, they can also generate gas in the body. “When people suffer from excessive flatus, most of them blame a diet rich in leafy, green vegetables as the culprit,” Mr Axiak says. “However, this varies from one person to another.” Finding out which foods affect you generally happens through trial and error – keeping a food diary and looking for patterns in your eating habits can help you identify them more easily. If you notice that you always feel heavy and bloated after eating certain foods, it might be a good idea to avoid eating them, or consume them in smaller doses.

Bloating caused by food allergies

Bloating can also be caused by an undiscovered food allergy. “Foods rich in wheat and yeast, such as pasta and bread, are the biggest offenders when it comes to food intolerance-related bloating,” says Mr Axiak. “Removing them from your diet would lead to a considerable reduction in bloating.” However, before making any drastic changes to your diet, it is always advisable to undergo a food intolerance test from a registered clinic – you should consult with your GP or pharmacist on how best to go about this.

What to eat before the wedding

Despite the commonly-held belief that green, leafy vegetable can make you gassy, Mr Axiak says that a vegetable-rich diet is advisable before the wedding. “You should also eat three to four fruits a day in between meals to help the metabolism going, as well as plenty of lean meats such as fish, chicken and turkey. “ Salty and processed foods can hold a lot of water so make sure you cut down on the sinful snacks if you want to have a flatter tummy – but don’t worry about treating yourself every so often! After all, moderation is key.