Five Easy Ways to Beat Bloat

• Reduce your salt intake and avoid hidden salt deposits that lurk in canned soups, soy sauce, sandwich meats and most packaged foods, canned sodas and fast food.
• Load up on fresh vegetables but skip bottled dressings. Make your own Raspberry Vinaigrette by whisking one tablespoon of raspberry jam, 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup olive oil.
• Take your vitamins - especially A and C. Both help your body get rid of all that excess water. You can access them naturally by adding lettuce, bell peppers, dried apricots, papayas and cantaloupe to your diet.
• Increase your water intake. Drinking water to prevent watery bloat sounds counter-intuitive, but it works. Eight 8-ounce glasses a day will help your body release the water that is being stored in your cells. A little cranberry juice or some chamomile tea are also helpful for getting rid of stored water.
• Go Bananas! They're rich in potassium, which helps fight fluid retention. So do raisins, so grab a handful for a healthy snack.