Do you know the difference between Belly Fat and Bloating?

Noticing a bulge in your belly and you just wish you could get rid of it? But before you take any action, you must know where you are bloated or have accumulated belly fat. A lot of people might feel bloated, especially after a heavy meal. But most can confuse bloating and belly fat, and take incorrect action to deal with it, eventually worsening the situation.

This blog dives into the difference between belly fat and bloating and how you deal with both situations.

Bloating is a sensation or a normal body reaction in which your belly is abnormally enlarged. This happens because your brain signals your diaphragm to move down and signals your abdominal walls to relax. This leads to creating some space in your abdomen, which helps accommodate the stomach and relieve the pressure.

There can be many contributing factors to bloating, including-

• Gas in intestines: Although it is a common cause of bloating, this condition might also indicate other gastrointestinal problems.
• Eat food high in fiber. One of the main causes of gas and bloating is eating excessive amounts of fiber, beans, dairy products, and other foods.
• Intestinal inflammation. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal system can trap gas and result in bloating in Crohn’s disease.
• Small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Bacteria can overgrow into the small intestine when the colon has an imbalance of bacteria, which can result in bloating.

There are other reasons for bloating which include gluten sensitivity, allergies to food, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and parasite illnesses.

Belly fat on the other hand is the extra fat around the abdomen that progressively accumulates when you eat more than you burn, which causes weight increase and tenacious fat to accumulate around the waist. The main causes of belly fat gain include inactivity, stress, and poor diet.

However, there are several ways in which you can differentiate between abdominal fat and bloating. One is that eating one meal, or even several over a day, does not significantly raise belly fat. Also, bloating can occur quickly and go away just as quickly but belly fat doesn’t go away without a change in diet, and lifestyle.

Tips for Battling Belly Fat and Bloating

Belly Fat
To get rid of that extra bulge, you can:

• Drink a lot of water.
• Engage in regular strength and aerobic training.
• Consume more complex carbs and protein.
• Steer clear of alcohol, trans fats, and sugary foods.
• Make sure you get enough rest.

Bloating
Bloating is quite normal and can be reduced by:

• Drink a lot of water.
• Consume meals rich in complex carbohydrates and protein.
• Keep consuming fiber-rich foods, but refrain from increasing your intake drastically.
• Steer clear of carbonated drinks.
• Practice portion control and eat smaller meals more frequently rather than three heavy times a day.

When to seek help!
You should consider seeking professional help if despite practicing lifestyle changes and dietary altercations, you are not noticing any improvement or if the situation is worsening. A doctor or practicing dietician can assess your health and suggest suitable plans.

“The above article is not to be used as medical advice or recommendations. Please speak with your doctor if you have any queries related to your health.”