We’ve all been there. You go to pull up those killer skinny jeans but they don’t fit like they did just the other day. Like at all. You feel puffy and uncomfortable and you somewhat resemble your former second-trimester self but you are definitely not pregnant unless it’s a food baby.
You are bloated and you hate it.
But, are you really bloated or is there something else going on?
The word “bloat” perfectly captures all the feelings and physical aspects of what we are experiencing when we look and feel this way but it may not be the right word for what’s happening to us. Sure, throughout our monthly cycles there are times when our bodies are prone to swell up and our bellies bulge out. Women are accustomed to this and we have come to expect it, even if we don’t necessarily like it.
But what about all the other days of the month? What about the random Tuesday when your body goes from normal to poofed out, totally out of nowhere? Is that bloating too or is something else afoot? And why should you care either way?
Instead of regular run-of-the-mill bloating, your body could be having an inflammatory response to something you ate. And the good news about that, is unlike cycle-related bloating and discomfort, you can actually do something about inflammation. And that is definitely something worth caring about.
What’s the Big Deal with Inflammation?
Although the way we feel and even the way we look can be the same whether we are bloated or our bodies are having an inflammatory response to something it doesn’t like, they are distinct conditions. That matters for several super important reasons.
- Inflammation in response to a food sensitivity or allergy can (and should!) be dealt with while bloating is a fairly unavoidable side effect of female life.
- Chronic inflammation is seriously bad for your health and is linked to such things as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and colitis. And I think we all want to give a big NO THANK YOU to all of that.
- We will never, ever feel or look our best if we are chronically inflamed. And that matters a whole heck of a lot.
If you twisted your knee while freestyle dancing at that sexy pole dancing class for your friend’s birthday and it swelled up, hurt like hell, and made it difficult for you to do everyday normal activities, guess what? You’d DO something about it. And you can do something about this kind of inflammation, too.
What’s the Difference Between Bloat and Inflammation?
When you are bloated, a part of your body is filled with gas or fluid. Fun, right? That LaCroix that you love so much? Sorry to be the one to break it to you but it can cause bloating. Bloating distinguishes itself from inflammation not because it will make your belly pooch out any less but because it is not necessarily caused by an underlying health condition. It can happen because you swallowed a bunch of air (looking at you sparkling water), ate a bigger-than-usual meal, or you are in the extra special bloating phase of your menstrual cycle.
Inflammation is a normal immune system response when the body detects that something is wrong and needs protection or healing. When you cut your finger, for example, white blood cells surround the injury, protecting it from other invaders, and helping it heal. We get redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and even a scab. This is natural and good and yes, helpful.
When we eat something that our body doesn’t like, the very same process is activated internally. Our immune system detects something that is wrong, in this case, a food or ingredient that doesn’t agree with our system. The problem is that we often continue exposing our immune system to foods we are sensitive or allergic to and in response, our immune system keeps fighting the good fight. The result is a chronic state of inflammation and that is where you can end up with some very undesirable health impacts.
What to Do About Inflammation
If you do not enjoy the discomfort, weight gain, and worst of all, increased risk of serious illness, that comes along with being in a state of constant inflammation you have the ability to make things better. It can be really tricky to identify the foods or ingredients that are problematic for your body but the good news is that you do not have to do it alone!
The state of nutrition in America is such that food sensitivities and allergies are, unfortunately, quite commonplace. There are many resources available to do some of the detective work on your own. A good starting point is to keep a log of your weight and body condition before and after you consume foods that you suspect could be the troublemakers.
If you can identify the foods that poof you up and make you feel less than amazing, then you can take action by eliminating them from your diet. This can be tricky, too, given that so many of the typical allergens are found in an eye-crossing array of food products. But if you are committed to feeling and looking like your best self, it’s worth the effort. And if you need support and help, we are right here ready to help.
Exclusive Health Coaching in Denver
Whole Woman Health is the top health clinic for women in Denver and we are here to help you get back to your healthiest self. Other nutrition services in Denver fail to provide the emotional and psychological support that is so necessary to long-term success. Not us.
We are a team of nutritionists and life coaches in Denver offering 1:1 support to meet your weight loss or nutrition goals. We also offer a weight loss program exclusively for women called The SHED and it covers all the bases, bridging the gap between mind and body and changing your relationship with food. If you are ready to invest in getting back to the best version of yourself, register today.