Oh the miraculous, ever-wise, and complicated belly! Was there ever another area of the body that caused such collective confusion and judgment?
If you have biological children, you know first-hand the mystery and wisdom of the middle-area of the body having carried a baby for 9 months of your life. And if you’ve ever, um, eaten food, then you also know that the belly region has it’s own moods and fluctuations, and some interesting shape-shifting qualities!
The belly area is a great teacher for many of us, teaching us how to listen on a lot of levels; to our body, our instincts, feelings, and emotions. This area also teaches us some important lessons about body image. I think you know what I mean.
Since GI symptoms like bloating are so common, I’m sharing a few Q and A’s you might find helpful.
Q: Are there particular foods that might responsible for my bloating?
A: There are some foods that are more prone to causing bloating. These include much of the brassica family: cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale. Eating a good deal of raw foods can lead to distention of the mid-section. Artificial sweeteners and carbonated drinks can also cause bloating. Excessive salty foods, especially prepackaged frozen meals or canned soups for example, often lead to a lot of water retention.
Q: How do I know if I’m bloated or if I’m carrying a little fat around my belly?
A: Bloating generally comes and goes. Many people wake up and find that distention they were experiencing in the evening has significantly reduced by morning.
Q: Is bloating normal?
A: Yes, it is normal to have bloating. Some of us have weaker digestion that may lead to more frequent bloating. If you are experience frequent pain and discomfort with your bloating, it might be wise for use to take a closer look at your diet as a little therapeutic dietary intervention may be helpful. Taking a look at adequate probiotics, probiotics, and caring for possible sensitivities to certain foods may help.
Q: What else might impact my bloating?
A: The state in which you eat your food can lead to bloating. Fast eaters, those who barely breathe during meals or those who frequently eat in stressed states can certainly lead to bloating. This is why one evening a dessert may settle just fine, whereas a different night the same exact food results in GI discomfort. GI issues in general have a strong correlation with the inner life, inner emotions, and life experiences as well which is a place for us to explore when dietary invention offers inconsistent results.
The very basic take-home points here are that bloating is normal, pain and discomfort are not, and you can experiment with increasing or decreasing certain foods to see how your body responds. And yes, there is absolutely a mind/body component to GI issues we can work with as well.
Warmly,
Laura