It happened every night, right before bed. I felt so uncomfortably bloated that I even woke up feeling that way, with a puffy tummy to prove it. If this sounds familiar and you're ready to make a change, here are three things I did to prevent going to bed with that gross feeling.
This Is What's For Dinner
As a vegan, you'll always find pasta, veggie pizza, and rice and beans on the menu at our house, especially because they're quick, they're easy, and my kids love them. But all those slow-digesting carbs would just sit in my stomach and make me feel heavy. So I started eating a big salad instead like this maple butternut squash kale salad [1]. Other bloat-friendly options for me include tofu-veggie stir fry, soups, and roasted veggies with open-face veggie burgers. Don't get me wrong — I still eat carbs, but I make sure veggies are the focus.
I Said No to These Types of Dessert
Most nights, I love to follow dinner with a little something sweet, and I realized that my minor sugar addiction [3] was actually one of the biggest sources of my evening belly bloat. My body just does not react well to processed sugar (whose does?!), so instead of chocolate, vegan ice cream, or cookies, I indulge in some fresh fruit, trail mix, homemade Larabars [4], or ice cream made with frozen fruit like this dairy-free chocolate ice cream [5]. I have just a little taste to quench that craving and to ensure that I feel satisfied, not overly stuffed.
In the Fridge, Not in My Belly
Dinner is usually done by 6 p.m., and I make my kiddos' lunches around 8 p.m. I didn't realize I was in the habit of noshing on little extras like a few pretzels or some spare grapes that wouldn't fit in the container. Eating while making their lunches meant consuming extra (unnecessary) calories, but it also meant that I went to bed with a full stomach. I made the decision to not eat past dinner and to throw out little extras like sandwich crusts and put away extras. They do better in the fridge than in my belly.