Ginger is a root that has been used to aid in digestion for years. It combats nausea, decreases inflammation and relieves gas pain. Try chewing on some raw ginger, or making a tea that is similar to how you would make dandelion tea.

Stress makes everything more difficult for the body including food digestion. Anxiety tells the brain to put less focus on digesting food because there is something more important to focus on. When we are constantly putting the body in ‘fight or flight’ mode, it prepares to drop adrenaline into the body to run from a bear (or your bank account) instead of the slow moving digestive system.

Find ways throughout the day to destress. Try to spend a minute (or five) focusing on deep breathing. Take a walk and notice the trees and clouds. Even listening to your favorite upbeat song can go a long way! Take care of the mind and the body.

Soda is not good for much of anything. It is dehydrating, carbonated, full of sugar and sometimes contains artificial sweeteners. All culprits of an uncomfortable bulging belly. Think about it, each time you sip a carbonated beverage you are swallowing little gas bubbles that go into your stomach. Those little bubbles all add up into one big gas bubble that you feel and sometime even see. Belching can sometimes relieve this pressure partially, but dropping the carbonation all together is the best bet.

Some foods are easier to digest than others. Deep fried, processed, salty, and chocolatey foods all fall into the harder to digest list. Foods that contain artificial sweeteners, excessive sugar, dairy and sometimes gluten can also be hard to digest. If you find yourself with a bulging belly often begin to pay attention what you tend to reach for as snacks and meals. Slowly begin to shift to more fresh whole foods and drop the convenient food.