Gassiness and bloating are not only both unpleasant feelings, they also make you nervous and irritable. Especially when you are in a group of people you have that dreaded fear of… well you know. A group setting is one of the worst times to get this feeling.

It is hard to stay away from foods that cause this condition. Foods that are the most likely to cause gas and bloating are also the most common foods and drinks served in a group setting. So not only do you have that miserable feeling but you also have that fear of …. well you know.

FOODS TO AVOID
Soda, beer, alcohol, greasy, salty and fatty foods. All of these items slow the intestines down which means they stay in your system longer than other foods. This tends to make you gassy and bloated.

Plan ahead and stay away from the problem foods for a few days before a group outing. Try eating the following preventive foods instead.

PREVENTIVE FOODS
1. PAPAYA: This is a food I have never indulged in very much. However I am going to try to introduce it in to my routine. Research has shown that an enzyme called papain is found in papaya. This aids in digestion, serves as an intestinal cleanse, prevents inflammation, and supports your immune system. If you do not like the taste of papaya there is a papaya supplement you could try. I am including a recipe below for a Orange/Papaya smoothie. Try it and see what you think.

2. OATMEAL: Every morning my husband eats oatmeal with honey for sweetener and instead of butter he uses coconut oil. He says he enjoys the taste, the full feeling, and the health benefits it provides. Oatmeal has high fiber content. This provides a cleansing our bodies need on a daily basis. Oatmeal is not only good for breakfast, it can be used at any meal. It can be used in many recipes. I use oatmeal instead of bread crumbs for my meatloaf. Of course everyone knows how delicious oatmeal cookies are. For your favorite pie recipe try a oatmeal crust.

3. YOGURT: Yogurt is one of my favorites for breakfast. I enjoy Greek yogurt with active cultures. Active cultures increases the good bacteria in your gut. The good bacteria prevents bloating by helping your digestive system work properly.

4. ASPARAGUS: I enjoy asparagus steamed or cut up raw in a salad. This vegetable is one of the few vegetables that has inulin in it. Inulin helps feed that good bacteria from your yogurt making it expand and grow in your gut. This makes your tummy feel good and helps keep your intestines cleansed. Asparagus prevents an over abundance of yeast growth in your body. This vegetable helps prevent bloating, gas and serves as a diuretic. So it not only serves as a intestine cleanse but also clears excess fluids and inflammation from your body.

If you have bloating, gassy, that fear of… you know, inflammation or irregularity please follow the link below. I hope you will find some useful information. I am certainly going to try and eat these foods more often.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037103_bloating_foods_solutions.html

Orange/Papaya/Pineapple Smoothie
2 scoops of protein powder (26g)*
8 oz. Trop-50 orange juice (50% less sugar)
4 chunks fresh PAPAYA or pineapple
1/2 frozen banana to make creamer
Combine all in a blender. Blend 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Add 4-5 ice cubes. Blend until smooth

Thanks Ellie for sharing this recipe with me.