We’ve all been there. Feeling bloated, extra weight around the middle, and just feeling uncomfortable. I don't like it when I feel that way, and I'm sure you don't either. In case you're thinking—that's just the way it is, I've tried everything—take heart. There's a reason it's happening. You might not have been looking in the right place.

If you struggle with feeling bloated and want to know ways to get rid of the bloat, read on.

Pitch the Junk

We all know processed food does nothing for our health. It basically depletes nutrients from your body instead of nourishing it. The effects it has on belly bloat are more obvious because most junk food has an abundance of iodized salt. Common (white/processed) table salt is a major culprit when it comes to bloating. Aside from minimizing or eliminating junk food, be sure to use non-iodized salts like sea or Himalayan salt. Both contain minerals your body actually needs.

Drink Lots of H2O and Teas 

Flushing your body out with lots of water and tea can help push out whatever toxins are causing the bloating.

Drinking water is a hard habit to keep. Try adding slices of lemon, grapefruit and/or cucumber to your water to keep from getting bored and losing interest. These fruits and veggies also help stimulate digestive enzymes in the gut.

Black tea, which contains small amounts of caffeine, has a slight diuretic effect, helping to draw excess water out of the body. Drink in moderation to avoid dehydration. Peppermint tea helps with gas and stomach pain, and its other benefit is to boost energy. One of my favorite teas is licorice root which aids in digestion and soothes the stomach. If you don't like the taste of licorice, don't worry. It has more of a chai, earthy flavor. 

Digestive Enzymes

Taking digestive enzymes is great habit to get into if you suffer from bloating. Enzymes help with the digestive process and also help your body assimilate essential nutrients provided by the healthy food your eating.

Try Fermented Foods

For some people, fermented foods can be a huge benefit to digestive health. One of the benefits includes drastically reducing bloating. Some ways to incorporate fermented foods into your diet include: Sauerkraut, fermented vegetables, kimchi, miso or tempeh. Kombucha drinks can also be helpful. 

It's important to remember that this is a process. As your microbiome starts to rebuild and get fortified by your new healthy habits, you’ll start to notice the bloating that used to be a big deal is no longer a problem.