Struggling with a bloated stomach? We’ve all been there. And while bloating is never fun to deal with, it can be especially frustrating to wake up with gastrointestinal discomfort and struggle to button your jeans first thing in the morning. Luckily, breakfast offers the perfect opportunity to work some bloat-blasting ingredients into your diet. As it turns out, there’s one fruit in particular that could help you find some relief: bananas.
To learn more about how bananas can help put an end to uncomfortable morning bloat, we spoke to nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet. She broke down a few of the reasons eating this fruit for breakfast can do wonders for your digestive health. Find all of her expert insight below.
How bananas help reduce bloating
Fruit is always a good idea for breakfast, as it can help pack essential nutrients into your morning without loading your body with refined carbs, processed sugar, and other harmful ingredients. Richards tells us that bananas, in particular, are a fantastic choice for those looking to prevent bloating.
For starters, she says, this is thanks to the fact that they're a low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) fruit, "which means they are less likely to cause digestive discomfort or gas in people with sensitive stomachs."
Additionally, the high fiber content of this fruit can help with digestion, working to alleviate bloating. "Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, which can aid in maintaining regular bowel movements and preventing constipation, a common contributor to bloating," she says. Plus, "the fiber in bananas promotes a feeling of fullness, reducing the likelihood of overeating later in the day." Perfect!
One other reason that bananas can help prevent and reduce bloating is the fact that they're loaded with potassium, which Richards says "helps regulate sodium levels in the body, potentially reducing water retention and bloating."
On top of all of this, she adds, "They also contain essential nutrients like vitamin B6, which supports overall digestive health." Incredible!
All in all, eating a banana in the morning can help support a healthy digestive system and bring some relief to your bloated stomach. You could even add some to a bowl of fiber-rich oatmeal for a healthy, well-balanced meal that your gut will love. Yum!
