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Are you eating healthy and exercising every day, but your stomach remains bloated? The problem may be in your salt intake. Sodium helps to retain water in the body causing bloating. So cut down on salt intake for a flat stomach.

According to Gastroenterologists women tend to bloat more than men as their intestines are longer. The digestive tracts in men and women are very different. So, women need to take a few precautions to shrink the stomach size.

Reduce salt intake

Consuming too much salt with food leads to edema and bloating. Restrict yourself to the recommended 1500 mg of salt per day. Avoid keeping salt on the dining table and reduce the amount you add to recipes while cooking. Strictly avoid ready-t0-eat meals as these are loaded with salt for delectable flavour.

Increase intake of potassium-rich foods

Potassium helps to remove excess water from your body. Consume potassium-rich foods like bananas and sweet potatoes to reduce your waist size. But these food may be fattening so practise some form of exercise regularly.

Eat fiber-rich food

Your diet should be a healthy combination of soluble and insoluble fibers to stay fit and avoid constipation that gives a bloated feeling. Oranges, raspberries, mushrooms, cabbage and broccoli are fiber-rich food that you can incorporate in your meals.

Drink water

Keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water. Drinking water will help fibre to do its job of easing constipation. Lack of enough water in your body can disbalance the sodium and potassium levels in your body.

Besides the above, try to avoid sugary or fatty foods as they are difficult to digest. Also stay away from food containing artificial sweeteners as the body never digests them completely.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)