Monday, March 25, 2024

Is My Stomach Bloated Or Fat

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You’re Cutting Out Fat From Your Diet

BLOATING VS BELLY FAT | How To Tell The Difference, Reduce Bloating and Lose Fat

It seems logical to assume that fat contributes to fat, but nutritionists are keen to point out that since the ‘low fat’ revolution of the 70s, our waistlines have widened dramatically. As personal trainer and nutritionist Keris Marden and fitness expert and health coach Matt Whitmore point out in The Paleo Primer: A Jump-Start Guide to Losing Body Fat and Living Primally:

Have you ever wondered what takes the place of the removed fat? Answer: heaps of synthetic, non-food chemicals that wreak havoc on our metabolism and digestion. Whats more, most low-fat and fat-free products contain loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners to make up for the lack of taste.

For a flatter tummy and lower body weight in general, healthy fats such as coconut oil and avocados could well be your weight loss weapon, as Keris and Matt highlight:

Fat can play a vital role in weight loss the single most important aim of your nutrition should be to balance your blood sugar levels. Dietary fat helps you accomplish that by slowing down the release of nutrients into the bloodstream, so by all means, add a little olive oil or butter to your meals. This will help regulate your appetite and keep your energy levels consistent.

Fewer sugar spikes, reduced cake cravings and a drip feed of health-giving nutrients into the body will seriously reduce the incidence of belly swelling binges.

How Can I Prevent Stomach Bloating

If your stomach bloating is caused by diet or alcohol, you can help prevent it by making some lifestyle changes. Some good general guidelines include:

If the cause of your bloated stomach is something more specific, such as specific food intolerance, perimenopause or a medical condition, you might need a little help with diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Some options include:

Bloating Vs Belly Fat

But how do you know if its bloating or belly fat? Bloating comes and goes and is usually most obvious at the end of the day. You wake up with a stomach thats completely flat and look like youre a few months pregnant by the end of the day.

If youre unsure if its bloating, use a tape measure to measure your tummy right around the navel when you wake up in the morning and again at the end of the day. If theres a big difference, its bloating, not tummy fat. If youre bloated, you may experience other symptoms such as gas, tummy tightness, and your stomach may make funny, high-pitched sounds that embarrass you when youre in public.

So, youre convinced that your tummy is sticking out because youre bloated and not due to body fat. Whats causing this frustrating problem?

First, if bloating is a new symptom for you, get it checked out by a health professional. Serious health problems, like ovarian cancer, liver failure, kidney problems, and other health issues can cause bloating. If everything checks out, your bloating can likely be explained by one of these factors:

· Food Intolerances

Lets look at each of these factors in more depth.

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How To Effectively Banish Your Belly Fat

Now that you figured out the reason why your stomach sticks out and found out a little about how to get rid of it, it is time to go a bit deeper into this topic. Read on about how to make your tummy fat vanish by changing your lifestyle and implementing some of the following recommendations into your everyday life .

You’re Exercising Too Much

You Are NOT Fat. Your Stomach Is Bloated And Heres How To ...

Theres no doubt that slobbing out wont do anything to diminish belly fat, but going overboard isnt the answer either, as Libby affirms:

Physical stresses such as overexercising and endurance exercise can upset cortisol balance. Switch gruelling cardio workouts for 20-30 minute HIIT sessions instead.

HIIT the ground running with these get fit fast workouts.

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Reasons Youre Not Losing Belly Fat

Working hard but stomach still not resembling a washboard? Its time to bring in the experts

‘How to lose lower belly fat female’ has seen a 3,800 per cent rise in Google searches over the past year whether being more sedentary in lockdown is the cause, or because July seems to have crept up on us out of nowhere and we want to back in our summer clothes pronto, how to get rid of belly fat seems to be at the forefront of our minds.

Losing belly fat isn’t just an appearance-based concern though according to NHS Choices, fat collecting around your middle poses more health risks than fat that sits elsewhere.

We store spare body fat under the skin and also around the vital organs in our abdomen. Fat around the abdomen causes more health problems than, say, fat carried around the bottom or on the thighs. Having a large amount of tummy fat makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart problems. All the more reason to want to send it packing.

Hardly joyful news if you have a few pounds to lose, but dont panic if youre developing a paunch – there are reasons that could explain why youre accumulating belly fat.

Only Drink Water Or Tea

When people are bloated, they tend to skimp on water because they think it will make their bloating worse. Since water retention is the body’s way of holding onto fluid so it doesn’t dehydrate, the opposite is true. Drinking lots of water signals the body that it no longer needs to hold onto every last drop to stay hydrated. “Fluids, specifically water, are absolutely key for optimal digestion,” says Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition.

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Why Is My Stomach So Big And Swollen

When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.

Why Does It Feel Like Something Is Moving In My Stomach And Im Not Pregnant

How to Tell the Difference Between Bloating and Belly Fat

Its possible to have sensations that feel like a baby kicking when you arent pregnant. Several normal movements in a womans body can mimic a babys kicks. This includes gas, muscle contractions, and peristalsisthe wave-like motions of intestinal digestion. Women often refer to the sensation as phantom kicks.

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You’re Not Sleeping Enough

Sleep duration is associated with elevated levels of the hormone ghrelin and reduced circulating levels of leptin, the hormone that supresses our appetite. Because of this, not sleeping can lead to increased levels of appetite and hunger and an expanding portion of belly fat.

By getting enough sleep your body will reset its hormones and youll make better food choices, confirms Dr Michael Mosley. Easier said than done, we know!

If youre struggling to get some shut eye, get to the root of whats causing your insomnia and learn how to help yourself nod off using expert wellbeing techniques. If youre in the following situation, however, youll be in no doubt as to whats causing your sleeplessness

Why Is The Left Side Of My Stomach Bloated And Hard

When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.

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Your ‘healthy’ Protein Shake Is Making You Put On Weight

There’s something that feels ever so virtuous about sipping on a protein shake post-workout to supercharge your efforts, but it could be doing you more harm than good.

“Protein powders that contain added sugars can drastically increase your daily calorie intake without you even realising,” warns Shivraj Bassi, founder of supplement brand Innermost. Look at the sugar content in your protein powder to make sure it’s not a secret saboteur.

Warning Signs And Symptoms

Is It Bloating Or Belly Fat? 4 Signs Which Will Help You ...

Weight loss is one of the main warning signs for serious bloating. If you find yourself losing more than a few pounds without changing your diet or starting a new exercise regimen, that should be cause for concern, especially if its 10 percent or more of your body weight. Weight loss can be caused by tumors that press on the intestines, making you feel full after just a small amount of food, or from substances secreted by tumors that suppress your appetite.

Ascites is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. It can cause bloating, weight gain, and a rapidly expanding waistline. Ascites is usually caused by liver disease, but cancer is the culprit about 10 percent of the time. A large amount of fluid can make you look and feel like youre several months pregnant. The combination of bloating and jaundice, which turns the eyes and skin yellow, can be a sign of cancer thats spread to the liver, although it can also occur with more benign forms of liver disease like hepatitis.

Blood in your stool, vaginal bleeding in between periods, or postmenopausal vaginal bleeding can all be associated with serious bloating. Fortunately, the most common causes of these symptoms arent the most serious, but bleeding should always be evaluated because it can be a sign of cancer, particularly colon or uterine cancer.

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Women Showing Their Bloated Bellies To Prove Extreme Bloating Is Totally Normal

Extreme bloating is no joke. If youve ever looked in the mirror in the morning and then again at night and wondered how on earth your stomach could look so different, youre not alone. The truth is, we all deal with extreme bloating at some point. It happens to everyoneeven those bloggers you follow on Instagram, even you, and even me.

All of us create some gas depending on what we eat throughout the day, Kyle Staller, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital tells SELF. Certain foods create more gas than others. The foods that produce the most gas are called FODMAP, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, according to Stanford Health Care.

FODMAPs are common carbohydrates that arent digested easily by the GI tract, says Dr. Staller. Some are more obviouslike dairy, cabbage, and broccolibut others are more surprising such as garlic, avocados, and cherries. These foods may become fermented in your GI tract and the byproduct is gas, explains Dr. Staller. While most people can handle these foods with no issues, if you have a sensitive stomach, they may trigger bloating after eating.

And a handful of social media users want to hammer that point home. More and more influencers are sharing bloating before and after photosfeaturing their bloated stomaches next to their not-so-bloated onesin an attempt to show fans and followers that bloating is a normal part of life.

What Are The Signs Of Bloating And How To Deal With It

Is your stomach is hard?If your tummy feels hard and tight, then you may be bloated as otherwise, our tummy feels soft.

Is there a constant change in stomach size?The constant switch in stomach size is another sign of being bloated too often and poor digestion. Many women get bloated before their periods and during the days of heavy flow. Constipation is also one of the reasons. So, keep a check on your food intake, constipation and belly size.

Only the stomach is bulgy?Another way to know if you are just bloated or gained weight is to see if you have more bulges in other parts of the body like under your arms, at your back and legs. If yes, then it is definitely the time to lose weight. But if you have just tummy bulging out then you have to work on releasing the extra gas.

How to deal with bloating?Manage stressManaging stress and anxiety with the help of yoga and meditation should help you as they can cause bloating. Stress can adversely affect digestion and can lead to gut-related issues including bloating. Stress puts pressure on digestion and imbalances hormone and neurotransmitters. This leads to an environment where foods that could normally be digested easily end up being digested poorly, leading to the production of gas and bloating.

Keep a check on your salt intakeToo much salt can lead to an excessive build-up of water in your stomach. So, try and avoid water retention by drinking more water and avoid salty foods.

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How To Lose Abdominal Fat

Most of us deal with abdominal fat. If youre trying to lose a few pounds to reduce abdominal fat, you may decide to adjust your diet and increase your physical activity.

Overall, losing abdominal fat is a balance of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. This includes eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and reducing the amount of trans fat, refined carbs, sugar, and alcohol you consume.

On the movement side, make sure to get at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each week. Additionally, 2 days of strength training per week can help reduce abdominal fat.

How Do You Get Rid Of Bloating After A Workout

Swollen Belly & Bloating As Day Progresses Dr.Berg on Bloated Stomach

Tips for Getting Rid of Gas and Bloating During and After

  • Go Low Fiber. High fiber fruits and vegetables are good choices for your health and helping you feel full and satisfied.
  • Swallow less air.
  • Drink plenty of water with concentrated carbohydrates.
  • Stay Cool.
  • Reduce intake of high FODMAP foods.
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    What Is A Bloated Stomach

    A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, its a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesnt go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.

    Right Side Of The Abdomen

    Upper right:

    The upper right side of your abdomen contains the gallbladder, liver, and first part of the small intestine.

    The gallbladder is a small sac that stores bile made by the liver. The duodenum, known as the first portion of the small intestine, is where food empties from the stomach into the small intestine.

    Center right:

    The center right side of the abdomen contains the ascending colon and the transverse colon. Food then passes from the ascending colon to the transverse colon.

    Lower right:

    The cecum of the large intestine with the appendix and the small intestine are in the lower right side of the abdomen. The cecum is the first part of the large intestine that the end of the small intestine connects to.

    Some experts believe the appendix plays a role in the immune system. Others think it has no purpose.

    If your doctor performs a physical exam and then suspects a medical condition is causing your abdominal bloating or pain, theyll run various medical tests.

    The types of tests they order will depend on your medical history and physical exam results.

    Some common tests for abdominal problems include the following:

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    You Are Drinking Too Much Soda

    Those bubbles in soda and other drinks like beer, champagne, or seltzer are filled with gas. When you drink them, they can fill up your digestive system. You may burp some of it away, but once the gas reaches your intestines, it stays until you pass it. And most sodas are full of sugar, which can make you hold on to water and feel bloated.

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    You’re Eating Too Much Sugar

    You Are Not Fat! Your Stomach Is Bloated And Here Is How ...

    It’s not new information that sweet treats can result in belly fat.

    “A high sugar diet can cause belly fat to stick fast even if youre restricting calories and trying to lose weight, thought excessive calorie restriction isnt something I would recommend,” says Libby.

    To make a serious impact on your belly fat, cutting out sugar spikes is key, says Dr Michael Mosley, founder of The Fast 800 Diet. “A surprising number of diet snacks and drinks are high in sugar and are marketed as diet foods because they happen to be low in fat.

    “Limit your intake of any food or drink containing more than five per cent sugar to no more than twice a week,” Dr Mosley advises. This includes sweet fruits such as mango and pineapple and sugary smoothies and juices, he continues. Likewise, replace processed carbs such as white bread, chips and pasta with slow-release energy sources, such as brown rice or quinoa.

    “Two things will surprise you: the amount of sugar you were consuming unawares and the speed at which your belly fat will begin to tame itself when you cut it out,” says Dr Mosley.

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    How To Get Rid Of A Bloated Stomach

    One of the most effective bloated stomach remedies is improving your diet, since the foods you eat play a huge part in regulating how much air and poop is trapped inside your digestive tract.

    To keep things flowing smoothly, you want to make sure to eat a high-fiber diet, aiming for about 2530 grams every day or even more.

    This isnt too difficult when you eat plenty of whole foods, including veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and ancient grains. It can certainly help you to track your symptoms after eating certain foods known to cause bloating, but remember that a bloated stomach is caused by your entire lifestyle, not just the food on your plate.

    Some of the best foods for helping to battle stomach bloating include:

    Now that you know what you should eat, lets look at some of the foods that might make your bloating even worse. More often than not, some of these foods might be the culprit:

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