Deflate Your Tummy: Some Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Alison Johnson lists some foods and drinks to avoid if you're trying to deflate your tummy.

Extra fluid and gas can puff up even the fittest among us. Beyond eating right and exercising, here are some foods and drinks to avoid if you're trying to deflate your tummy:

Salty foods. Water molecules are attracted to sodium, so you'll retain more fluids if you pour on the seasoning or eat lots of processed foods.

Certain produce. Broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits, onions and peppers are top examples of healthy foods that contain difficult-to-digest sugars, which can cause gas. Even if you're susceptible, though, don't stop eating them; try limiting servings to a half cup at a time. Cooking raw veggies also can help.

Soda. Not surprisingly, the carbonation in soft drinks can cause bloat. Alcohol, coffee and some fruit juices also can cause intestinal irritation and swelling, so stick mainly to water and unsweetened teas that will help your body flush out waste products. Read more