Need to look slim fast? Follow these non-bloat tips

Q: My 10-year high school reunion is coming up. I just bought a cute dress for the occasion, but it’s pretty tight and I want to look great. Is there any way I can prevent bloating?

—Josephine, 28, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida


A: Congratulations on your reunion! I’m sure you’re going to look fabulous. And preventing bloating is no big deal if you follow a few rules:

Drink lots of water This one’s the most important: When you’re dehydrated, your body holds on to every drop of H₂O it possibly can, making you look puffy. Drinking water is also great because it flushes toxins out of your body and can help with constipation (being irregular can make you look bloated, too).

Lay off the salt Stop eating pretzels, crackers, and soups containing high amounts of sodium. The more salt you take in, the more water your body will retain to dilute the sodium concentrations — and water retention equals dehydration! Also, if you’re aware that certain foods — like beans, milk, or cheese — make you bloated, avoid them in the days leading up to your reunion.

Don’t swallow air Sounds weird, doesn’t it? Who swallows air? We all do every day, actually. There are some activities that make you take in more than your fair share: eating fast, drinking through a straw, and chomping on gum. All of this air swallowing can cause bloating! So call it quits on these habits until your reunion.

Good luck and enjoy the party!

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