Summer means long days, sunny skies, relaxing at the beach, and chowing down on your favorite seasonal staples. And while fruit might seem like the healthiest option when it comes to summer food — it sure beats an ice cream cone — it can come with a few side effects. Specifically, we’re talking bloating and gas. And of all the seasons, no one wants to be bloated during the summer. These are three summer food culprits that could be causing bloating — and what you can swap them for instead.
Foods That May Cause Bloating
Watermelon
No fruit quite embodies summer food the way watermelon does. The refreshing treat is naturally high in water, making it a great hydrator. But here’s the bad news: Watermelon can also bring on big-time bloating. That’s because it’s packed with fructose, a natural sugar that is tough on our GI system because it’s hard for it to be completely absorbed. That causes gas, and sometimes an upset stomach in some people.
If you fall into that category, try trading watermelon for cantaloupe. The melon is equally sweet and it’s much easier for your body to digest, so you can beat bloating.
Prunes
These little guys are known for being packed with fiber, which is why their most famous perk is making everything flow more easily in the bathroom. However, since prunes are so heavy on the fiber and sugar, it’s a challenge for the bacteria in your colon to handle, and when the colon tries to ferment the sugar and fiber that doesn’t get digested, that’s what makes you produce gas — and feel like you suddenly left your jeans in the dryer way too long.
So what’s a prune-lover to do? Up your water intake when you eat them, which will help keep your bowels active to cut down on bloating. And if you still feel puffy, start popping a probiotic supplement to give the bacteria in your gut a healthy boost. If you’re looking for a sweet swap, try grapes, which won’t cause bloating or gas.
Peaches
Talk about peachy keen: peaches are chock full of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, like phosphorous, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. But they can also literally be the pits — this summer food contains loads of sorbitol, which is a natural sugar found in many fruits that can trigger gas and bloating. In addition to peaches, it’s also in apples, pears, and prunes, plus it’s often used as an artificial sweetener in diet foods and sugar-free gum and candy.
To slash gas and bloating, opt for grapes instead of peaches, which are high in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, and can help decrease blood sugar levels. But if you’re a sucker for these summer foods and are trying to avoid bloating and gas, Gas-X can help relieve both in minutes.
