Load Up On Enzymes
When the foods you are eating are high in fat and sugar, or you're just eating a larger quantity of them, Pomroy says that the food bypasses many of the vital digestive stages along the way, causing a fermentation of toxic gases in the large intestine, leading to bloat. To help counteract this buildup, she suggests chewing papaya enzyme caplets after meals — they contain papain, a natural enzyme that breaks down larger pieces of food.
Bug Out
According to Pomroy, one of the simplest ways to decrease bloat is to promote the growth of gut bugs (Ed Note: Ew.) — "good" bacteria help break down large chunks of food and allow for faster fat assimilation, so food doesn't have time to ferment or putrify (Ed Note: Double ew.) in your stomach. To promote the growth of helpful bacteria, she suggests eating more fermented raw veggies, like sauerkraut, or taking a probiotic. She recommends East West Essentials Optimal GI.
Get Moving
While the thought of exercise after eating a big meal may seem torturous, Pomroy says that moving around really does aid digestion, so try to take a 20-30 minute walk after you finish eating. Exercise of any sort helps lower cortisol, the stress hormone that can signal the body to retain weight. The actual movement of walking helps rotate the pelvis, and stimulates movement in the lower intestines allowing the buildup of bloat to be released.
Tea Time
Since the last thing you want to be doing when you're eating a ton of food is retaining water on top of it, stock up on herbal teas — they act as a natural diuretic and help you get rid of water weight, fast. Pomroy recommends a potassium-rich parsley tea, or her signature Belly Fat Tea. To make it, boil one whole lemon (with the peel still on) in a saucepan of water, and add 1/4 tsp. of cayenne pepper and some Stevia to taste. This concoction will help burn fat and remove excess stored water from your body.
Photos (clockwise from top left): Via Big Oven; Via Walgreens; Via Nike