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When bloating becomes a bother

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Got a sensitive digestive system? I sometimes do. Mostly, my trouble comes in the form bloating and I never really know exactly why it happens. I've stumbled upon a few possible reasons, though. Here they are.

Maybe I'm not eating enough fiber. The recommended intake for adults is 25 to 35 grams a day but the average American gets only half of that. Slowly adding fiber to my diet and keeping my intake consistently high should minimize bloating, and cramping too.

Perhaps I'm lactose intolerant, which tends to happen at midlife. I'm 37. Antibiotics could be the culprit -- except that I'm not taking any at this time and haven't for a while now. Maybe I need a probiotic to replenish bacteria in my tummy. It could also be water -- I know I need more of this staple in my diet.

In order to pinpoint my exact problem, I'd be wise to keep a diet and symptom diary -- I'm already toying with a food journal for calorie counting purposes so I suppose I could blend the two -- to help me detect exactly when my problems arise. I might see some connections between bloating and eating this way.

Is bloating a bother for you? If so, what ever do you do?

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