Eat Like Mira

In every issue we turn to top Lebanese food consultant and medical and weight loss dietician Mira Khattar for the very best in dietary advice. You can also keep up to date with her latest advice and trends on THE TALK’s online platform at PassionsArabia.com

This month… feeling bloated? Get rid of it!

the talk - page 96 Bloating is a major problem faced due to abdominal problems, excessive food or even some food allergies. Bloating and stomach gases are usually tied in with what and how you eat or drink. We already know that consumption of carbonated drinks should be reduced, and that eating slowly is a must!

Here are a few additional, and simple, changes that will also help!

1- Papaya:

We won’t find it all the time in the refrigerator, but it is readily available in just about every supermarket. Not everyone has given papaya a try yet, but it has a sweet taste, and its texture is similar to cantaloupe. What’s great about papaya is the enzymes it contains can aid digestion, and reduce bloating.

2- Yogurt:

Rich in probiotics, yogurt is a digestive aid. Considered “friendly” bacteria that can really improve digestion, they may even help ease other digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Drinking yogurt before bedtime is great advice!

3- Bananas:

Potassium is the banana’s secret weapon when it comes to fighting bloating since it helps the body maintain normal sodium levels. Excess sodium is one of the primary causes of fluid retention that often causes bloating.

4- Peanut Butter:

Peanut butter contains niacin which is beneficial for the digestive process… and improved digestion means that the likelihood of bloating is reduced! If you’re one of those people that loves peanut butter, two tablespoons a day should do the trick!

5- Watermelon:

Surprisingly, drinking water helps reduce bloating by flushing excess sodium from the body. In addition to all that water, watermelon also boasts generous amounts of

vitamin C and potassium, which helps prevent bloating by allowing less sodium to build-up in the first place!

6- Cucumber:

Cucumbers are helpful in making the kidney function efficiently. The kidney helps eliminate uric acid from the body that can accumulate and promote bloating. There are a number of ways to work this vegetable into your diet, including as part of a salad, sandwiches or eating it alone.

7- Asparagus:

Asparagus is beneficial for at least two reasons: it has a high water content which has a diuretic effect on the body, and it helps keep fluid retention under control. It also helps promote the growth of those beneficial probiotic microbes in the digestive tract!

And last but not least… the cucumber water detox is a perfect way to flush out toxins and fight bloating. Simply mix one cucumber with two Litres of water, and steep overnight. Drink two glasses when you wake up in the morning, and another two before bedtime.

Take my advice… a few simple dietary changes can reduce the chances that you’ll have to deal with the problem of bloating ever again!

Follow Mira on Instagram at @eatlikemira and remember to keep up to date with her latest advice and trends on THE TALK’s online platform at PassionsArabia.com