Beat the Bloat This Bikini Season

You spent all winter working hard on those abs -- counting calories, burning fat through regular cardio and doing planks and other core work to tighten up. So the last thing you want to see when you finally slip on your bikini is belly bloat.

Belly bloat is a combination of extra fluid and/or excess gas caused by eating certain foods. If you want to show off that hard-won belly at the beach, or just want to squeeze into a little something for a night out on the town, avoid the following foods for a few days beforehand:

• processed or salty foods
• gassy veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and onions
• carbonated soft drinks
• fried or fatty foods
• spicy dishes
• artificial sweeteners

Since vegetables are good for you, you don't want to avoid even the gassiest for long. Cooking them can make them easier to digest, or simply eat them in small portions.