When you’re eating healthy and staying active, the last thing you expect is to suddenly start looking more bloated than ever before.
Even worse, that bloated belly is usually accompanied by painful, annoying gas—for no reason!
How is it possible to eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and still feel bloated?
Two words: Veggie bloat. As described by fitness fanatic and blogger mom Natalie Hodson in the video below, this strange phenomenon occurs when you eat too many vegetables.
Yes, you read that right—too many veggies can make you extremely bloated! That’s how Hodson can go from having a six pack when she flexes to looking 5 months pregnant after releasing her gut.
So, why do vegetables cause embarrassing gas and uncomfortable bloating? Well, it all comes down to carbohydrates and fiber.
“Fiber isn’t digested and absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract," Toby Smithson, RDN, LDN, CDE, a spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, explained to Everyday Health. "People will experience more gas buildup because of the fermentation of fiber or other non-digested carbohydrates in the large intestine."
Cruciferous vegetables—like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage—are especially high in fiber, making them the usual culprits behind veggie bloat.
High-fiber vegetables are incredibly healthy, especially for those trying to shed a few pounds. But it’s important to remember that every diet requires balance.
While broccoli may help you feel full for a longer period of time to keep you from snacking, eating too much of it can cause so much painful bloating that the weight loss may not be worth it after all.
If you’re already sold on a high-fiber, veggie-packed diet, then drinking water throughout the day can help ease bloating for smooth digestion.
Video Credit: Natalie Hodson via YouTube.com
Have you ever heard of "veggie bloat" before? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2015 Natalie Hodson/YouTube
