Everything You Need To Know About Bloating

We all get puffy tummies from time to time, but what if it’s constant, painful, or popping up after you eat? This UAE fitness expert weighs in

Constant bloating is not normal, says fitness pro Kirsteen Thain, co-founder of Get Fit Chick. This UAE training and nutrition company focuses on helping ladies transform — meaning Thain has spent a fair chunk of time looking into gut health and stomach issues among women.

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BLOATING – IT'S NOT NORMAL AND YOU CAN FIX IT Being bloated may be normal for YOU but it really shouldn't be. It always amazes me how people (women in particular) think it is just part of every day life, because it doesn't have to be! ⁣ ⁣ Bloating is only normal if you at at certain stages of your menstrual cycle, or if you eat way too much food. ⁣ ⁣ Common causes of bloating:⁣ – yeast infection ⁣ – other fungal infections⁣ – imbalance of bacteria (aka too much bad bacteria, not enough good)⁣ – digesting certain food. For example white rice is easier to digest than brown rice, so brown rice may cause some people to bloat ⁣ – stress. Big time cause of inflammation⁣ – alcohol⁣ ⁣ @danaemercer reminded me that not everyone knows bloating is abnormal, it's a symptom of a problem that needs to be fixed, and CAN be fixed! Feeling like crap IS NOT NORMAL and you don't have to feel like that. ⁣ ⁣ Bloating after eating can be so common that you may tell yourself you are allergic to certain foods – if you fix your gut health you may be surprised to find out you arent actually allergic to anything! ⁣ ⁣ I put all my clients through an anti bloating protocol and 9/10 it works, much to their amazement. If you can't fix your bloating you absolutely should go see a gastroenterologist for testing.⁣ ⁣ You have to fix your insides before your fix your 'outsides'. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bloating #foodbaby #bloatingtips

A post shared by Kirsteen (@kirsteenthain) on Sep 1, 2019 at 4:40am PDT

Bloating is so common that people start to accept it, says Thain. “Only you don’t have to look and feel like this. When women come to me with bloating, I put them on a special anti-bloating protocol with my favorite natural supplements, plus instructions to stay away from certain kinds of food for a month or so before reintroducing them.”

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When is it normal to bloat?
“It’s normal around certain times of the month for women. It’s not normal for no perceived reason,” says Thain, before adding that there’s always some reason, we just might not be aware. “You can usually fix it.”

Why does excessive bloating occur?
“We live in an age of too much fast food, processed food, and sugar,” notes Thain. “The things we put inside ourselves don’t just make us fat or thin, they can actually inflame the gut and cause swelling.”

Women in particular are also more prone to yeast and fungal infections that can cause bloating.

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How can you fix bloating?
“Stay away from processed foods and sugars, and no trans fats ever,” she says. Add in a probiotic and digestive enzymes daily to help your gut process everything.

In general, slow down the speed at which you’re eating.

“If you think you’re allergic to something, check out your gut health first before cutting out certain food groups,” she adds.

“In severe cases, go see a gastroenterologist.”

Instagram/GetFitChick UAE