You're totally in the mood, but also really, really bloated [1]. Ugh! The last thing you want is to feel insecure or uncomfortable in bed, which can definitely kill the mood and take you away from enjoying yourself and being in the moment.
There's no reason to let a bit of bloat get in the way [2] of your libido. Here are a few of the best tricks to tame that belly and banish bloat [3] on the spot, so you can have the best sex ever.
Drink Some Water
Before hopping into bed, skip that cocktail or glass of wine, which actually lead to bloating [5], and instead drink some water [6] and pee. "Drink lots of water to help flush out any toxins. This technique can also help with bloating as it will naturally flush out your urinary tract," says Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones [7], MD, an ob-gyn.
Avoid Cruciferous Veggies
"Avoid cruciferous vegetables [8] such as brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and broccoli," says Maggie Michalczyk [9], RDN, a registered dietitian based in Chicago. These have the tendency to create gas and bloating shortly after you eat them, so if you're having them for dinner and want to have sex afterward, be careful about how much you eat. "Beans can also elicit a similar response because of their high-fiber content [10], so tread lightly," she adds.
Take a Probiotic
Sure, this isn't really an immediate fix, but if you take a probiotic daily, you'll likely keep bloat at bay [11] when the moment strikes. "To lessen the frequency and occurrence of bloating creating excess gas [12] and bloating. "Different types of sugar can be gas producing; think high-fructose corn syrup and sugar alcohols," says Michalczyk. "Remember even chewing gum contains some sugar alcohols, so if you're chewing a lot of gum [13] or snacking on sweets, you may experience stomach discomfort and bloating shortly after," she adds.