I Told You I Was Sick

Believe it or not, a bloated stomach is very common. Millions of women just like you are too embarrassed to wear a tight-fitting shirt or a bikini in the summer because even though they’re thin, their stomach sticks out a mile. What’s up with that? I’ve been there. My digestive problems have made having a flat belly a challenge for me too.

The most common causes of a bloated stomach are stress, poor diet, low stomach acid, food allergies, and, in some cases, intestinal parasites. Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways you get the flat belly you’ve always wanted.

Easy Ways to Get a Flat Belly

To get a flat stomach, you have to do more than crunches.

Here’s what you need to do to get a tummy you can be proud to show off this summer:

1.     Get Rid of Junk Food

Ladies, it doesn’t matter how many crunches you do, you are never going to get a flat belly if you eat junk. It’s really that simple. One of the worst offenders for causing a bloated stomach is high fructose corn syrup.

High fructose corn syrup has been clinically proven to cause obesity. It interferes with the ability of your brain to be able to tell your body when it’s had enough food. When you overeat, your stomach continues to expand and you need more food to feel full.

2.     Cut Down on Wheat and Lactose Products

I’m gluten intolerant. I absolutely cannot eat gluten-based products. However, even people who do not have the symptoms of gluten intolerance would do well to reduce their intake of this protein. Lactose products are another common cause of belly bloat. Try cutting all gluten and lactose products from your diet for just one week and see if it makes a difference.

3.     Take Probiotics

Probiotics are the live, active cultures found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Adding a high-quality probiotic to your diet can do wonders for your digestive system and, in turn, give you a flatter stomach. The better your digestion and elimination, the less belly bloat you’ll have.

4.     Add Some Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw organic apple cider vinegar is your belly’s best friend. It contains live, active cultures to boost your immune system, cut down on inflammation, and improve your digestion. Also, if you’re someone who suffers with acid reflux, it means you have low stomach acid, not high. A teaspoon of ACV before each meal can balance your digestion and cut down on that burning in your chest and bad taste in your mouth.

5.     Eat Smaller Meals

The more you eat, the more you want to eat. Instead of starving yourself on some weird diet, just eat smaller portions. Three large meals per day can make digestion difficult. Instead, try eating 4-5 smaller meals per day. This helps keep your immune system strong and fat burning throughout the day.

6.     Load Up on Protein

Carbs are fun and comforting to eat but they go to your waistline so much faster than protein. Limit your carbs to one meal a day and load up on organic meat, poultry, wild-caught fish, string cheese, beans, nuts, hard cheese, and Greek yogurt. Also, make sure you get plenty of leafy green vegetables and fiber-rich fruits.

7.     Don’t Skip the Cardio

Strength training is great but if you want to get a flat belly fast, don’t skip on the cardio. Just half an hour of dancing, walking, hiking, or swimming can trim that cut in less time by keeping your metabolism high. A boosted metabolism means you burn calories even when you’re not working out.

8.     Drink More Water

If you’re a soda drinker, you’re never going to get rid of that bloated stomach. Trade in those bubbly empty-calorie drinks for pure, filtered water. Add a fresh slice of lemon or lime to make it more palatable and drink 6-8 glasses each day. When you drink more water, you flush toxins that can build up and cause belly bloat.

9.     Get More Sleep

One of the most commonly-overlooked causes of belly bloat is lack of sleep. If you don’t sleep enough, your body produces too much of the stress hormone, cortisol, and your tummy expands by the day. Get at least 7-8 hours of uninterrupted rest each night. If insomnia is an issue for you, try adding a chelated magnesium supplement to your diet. Magnesium helps ease anxiety and restlessness so you can get some much-needed rest.

10.    Add Some Green Tea

Studies have shown that the polyphenols in green tea can help you get the flat stomach you’ve always wanted. Also, the caffeine content can help boost your energy naturally as well as increase your metabolism. When choosing a green tea, opt for organic with no additives. Sometimes ‘natural flavors’ means chemicals (yuck).

Remember not to be hard on yourself when changing dietary and lifestyle habits. There is such a thing as processed food withdrawal. Even if you feel terrible the first week of eating healthier, don’t give up and don’t give in. Once you get those harmful chemicals out of your system, they’ll no longer be able to control you. Get started today. Your new summer body is just a few months away!

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