You know this feeling, you’ve just enjoyed a meal and now you have to unbutton your pants because you feel bloated. Bloating can occur if you ate too much or if you ate something unhealthy, but if you experience bloating even when you consume healthy foods in moderate amounts, there is a surprising cause – and a very simple way to resolve it.
Excess water intake contributes to post-meal bloating
You know it’s important to drink enough water throughout the day, but if you’re drinking too much you could be feeling bloated after your meal. Although drinking water is a great way to feel full and in turn eat less, keep in mind that your stomach has only so much space available to fill. If you drink too much water with your regular meal that usually keeps you full, you’re running out of space and, as a result, feel bloated.
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Don’t let this deter you from drinking water, though. Keeping yourself hydrated is essential for your good health. But be mindful of your water intake and avoid drinking more than one cup during the meal. You should also avoid drinking too much water up to 90 minutes before or after eating to avoid bloating.
If modifying your fluid intake doesn’t help your bloating, it could be a sign of a digestive problem. When accompanied by cramping and gas, bloating could be indicative of food intolerance. In this case, a good idea is to keep a food diary for a while documenting what you eat and how you feel after each meal in order to pinpoint any possible food culprits.
In the meantime, ensure you are getting adequate intake of water throughout your day but ease up around mealtime in order to prevent the uncomfortable bloating.
