There could be many reasons why you may experience a bloated feeling this Holiday season. Make sure that you’re not frequently constipated, as this is one of the most common causes of bloating and discomfort.
 
 
 
**If constipation is a problem, gradually increase the amount of fiber-rich foods you eat such as fruit, vegetables, whole grain cereals and bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and beans. These high fiber foods also have the added benefit of preventing hunger from kicking in, which is important if you want to lose weight.
 
**Always drink up to eight glasses of water a day, as a lack of fluid can make constipation worse, especially if you’re eating lots of fiber
 
**Some foods are also known to cause bloating so you might want to eat fewer of these. Typical culprits include beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts, onions and garlic; however, remember these are good sources of fiber and you should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
 
**Swallowing too much air can also give you a bloated tummy, and surprisingly, there are several habits that can result in this. Simple things such as talking while eating, using a straw or sports bottle, chewing gum, eating when you’re on the move, drinking from a water fountain and eating when you’re upset are all common culprits, so try and eliminate as many of these things as possible.
 
**You may also find it helpful to cut out fizzy drinks, including sparkling water. Many dieters fill up on these types of drinks, but the gas they contain simply ends up in your stomach. It’s also worthwhile avoiding too many ‘diet’, ‘sugar-free’ or ‘low-carb’ products that contain sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol. These sweeteners, which are used in place of sugar, have a laxative effect which can leave you feeling uncomfortable and full of wind.
 
**Try drinking chamomile or peppermint tea. It might not be your usual beverage, but drinks like these are good for the digestive system and can help to ease that bloated feeling.
 
 
**If you really think you might have a food intolerance you can keep a food and symptoms diary to see if there’s any pattern and then see your GP for a proper diagnosis.
 
**Irritable bowel syndrome is also often associated with bloating. Generally a healthy diet will help you lose weight and keep the symptoms of IBS at bay. But again, if you think this is a problem, you should see your GP.
 
 
If all this advice fails to stop you from feeling bloated, we suggest you see your GP to rule out any underlying medical conditions.