7 Ways to Fight Water Retention ...

Salt contributes to major bloat for some people. Great, right? It’s so hard to avoid salt and some things just don’t taste that good without it. I’m talking to you scrambled eggs and baked potatoes. However, cutting back on sodium can beat water retention at its own game. Try eating fewer processed foods, limit fast food and frozen dinners and sprinkle less from the shaker onto your food at mealtime. You’ll love the results.

Potassium and sodium create a fine balance in your body. By upping potassium, you can keep your sodium levels in check, which can help fight water retention. It’s as easy as eating more foods that contain potassium. Good choices include bananas, leafy greens, carrots, grapes, oranges and blackberries. If your potassium is very low (a doctor can test you), consider a supplement to boost your intake.

It might sound strange, but when you have water retention, boosting your fluid intake can help. Weird, right? That makes high water foods a great addition to your diet. Try lettuce, cabbage, watermelon, tomatoes and grapefruit. You’ll get to eat some tasty foods and will feel and look better at the same time. What more could you ask for?

When your gut is causing water retention, battle it with probiotics. These little gems help increase the good bacteria in your body and get rid of the bad. That can go a long way toward helping you fight bloat. Yogurt is a prime source of probiotics, but you can also find them in other foods, such as kefir and sauerkraut. If you can’t stomach those foods, try a supplement.

Staying active when you’re bloated is important. Not only does it increase blood flow and help distribute some of the fluid, but it will help you feel better by boosting endorphins. If you don’t feel your best, take it slow and easy by doing something low intensity, such as walking, biking or swimming. That way you can benefit without making yourself feel worse.

Clothes that restrict you and squeeze are not comfortable, but they can also get in the way of alleviating water retention. When you’re feeling bloated, wear lightweight clothing that doesn’t make you suck it in. Think loose flowing dresses or skirts. If you’re home, your yoga pants or sweats are just fine.

Again, you might wonder how this can possibly help, but boosting you water intake helps flush your body, which can also get rid of excess fluid. Try to forget about the old rule of drinking 8 glasses of water each day. Experts now suggest drinking when you’re thirsty and making sure your urine is light yellow or clear. That’s how you’ll know you’re getting enough to drink each day.

Do you suffer from water retention? How do you get rid of it? Please share your tips and tricks so we can all benefit from them.