Memorial Day Weekend is approaching. Hotdogs and burgers are being bought by the dozen and we can practically hear the crisp *pssht* of cans opening everywhere. But these bloat-causing summertime symbols come hand-in-hand with the fairly unforgiving nature of bikinis and white pants. You don’t have to tap out of the festivities to stay ahead of the impending bloat; you just have to know how to fight back.
Love Your Liver
Your liver expends between 25% and 30% of your basal daily calorie burn, so it stands to reason that a healthy, well-functioning liver is an important player in fat burning and bloat reduction. Your liver is the HOIC (head organ in charge) when it comes to detox, so a healthy one can help to unlock most of your daily ailments like fatigue, hormone imbalance and allergies. Liver health is also associated with skin health, which is especially pertinent this time of year. Do yourself a favor and incorporate these liver-detoxing foods into your diet:
- Apple
- Wheatgrass
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Turmeric
- Carrot
- Avocado
Sweat it Out…
Baths and saunas have been used as a method of detoxification for centuries. As we consume toxin-containing items like processed foods, high-salt meats or alcohol, our cells, specifically fat cells, accumulate these toxins within them. And as this consumption and subsequent deposition continues, our bodies attempt to fight back, causing inflammation. This can cause a cascade of less-than-ideal results, one of which is bloating. When you sweat, you give these toxins a ride out of your body, allowing your cells to more closely resemble their natural state. You don’t have to reach the point of a full-on sweat storm rolling off the tip of your nose, but get those glands glistening daily to maximize detox potential.
…But Drink it In
Sweat is roughly 99% water. And since most bodily processes require an input of water, dehydration can slow your body and metabolism way down. So make sure to stay sippin’. Otherwise, instead of detoxing, your cells will do their best to hold on to as much water, and therefore toxins, as possible. Check out our electrolytes post to get the story on how important the water-salt balance is when it comes to belly bloat.
Regulate Your Gut
Everyday, a microscopic war is going on in your small intestine: probiotics (The Good Guys) vs. pathogens (The Bad Guys). The good guys are usually victorious, but that doesn’t mean the bad guys go down without a fight. And an imbalance in your microflora can cause gastrointestinal distress and gas. So make sure to consume a diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics to give the good guys the strength they need to fight in The Battle of the Bloat.
Bikini Body Tonic
Begin your day with this combination to kick-start your metabolism, tickle your liver and keep your microflora happy. Make sure to get raw apple cider vinegar that includes ‘the mother,’ active enzymes with incredible health benefits.
- 12 oz warm water
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp raw ACV
- 1 tsp cinnamon
