Beat the Bloat: Simple Steps for a Lighter, Energized You

Bloating—especially around the abdomen—is one of the most common concerns I hear, not only from clients but from friends as well. Pants that felt perfectly comfortable just weeks ago can suddenly feel tight, even when you’ve been mindful of what and how much you’re eating. It can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes discouraging.

The good news is that bloating is rarely random. It’s often your body’s way of communicating that something is temporarily out of balance. Hormones, stress, digestion, and daily routines all play a role, and even small shifts can create noticeable changes.

Let’s walk through some of the most common reasons for bloating and explore simple, practical steps you can take right now. Gentle modifications can make a meaningful difference—not just in how your clothes fit, but in how comfortable, energized, and at ease you feel in your body day to day.

Hormonal Fluctuations

• Estrogen and progesterone: During menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause, shifting hormone levels can lead to fluid retention, swelling, and puffiness.
• Stress-related cortisol: Holiday routines can be stressful, and even fun “peopling” can be tiring, especially for introverts. Elevated cortisol slows digestion and increases inflammation, both of which can contribute to bloating.

Diet and Digestion

• Food sensitivities: Wheat, dairy, soy, and corn can trigger gas and discomfort. Holiday foods often contain unexpected ingredients that challenge digestion.
• Low digestive enzymes: Insufficient enzymes make it harder to break down food, leading to fermentation in the gut and bloating. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can help.
• Poor food combining: Foods digest at different speeds, and incompatible combinations can cause heaviness and gas.
• Unhealthy gut microbiome: Imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria—dysbiosis—often contributes to bloating.

• Support your digestion: Take enzymes with meals and snacks. Enzymedica Digest Gold works well for many women.
• Balance your gut microbiome: Take a quality probiotic like Garden of Life Once Daily Women’s Probiotic.
• Tip: Take enzymes and probiotics at different times—enzymes may break down probiotics if taken together.
• Offset stress: Drink extra water, rest when possible, and move your body. Give yourself time to recover after busy days.

As we settle into 2026, it’s a good time to reflect on the kind of health you want to support over the long term. Many women find that a gentle, structured reset for a short period can create faster, long-lasting results.

Over the last sixteen years, I’ve led many women through the Pure Radiance 21-Day Cleanse. 95% of participants report noticeable improvements in bloating and digestive comfort.

I created this cleanse to help women heal their digestion and naturally balance their hormones. Supporting the liver—your main detox organ—helps process hormones efficiently, often reducing bloating, fatigue, irritability, and cravings.

Although my focus is helping women with Homeopathy, my background at the Natural Gourmet Institute taught me the therapeutic power of food. I created the Cleanse to help women accelerate their healing by using food to support their digestion and hormone balance.

Core Components of the Cleanse:

1.   Guidebook: Clear instructions on what to eat, what to avoid, and food-combining tips.

2.   Cookbook: Easy, satisfying recipes developed by a chef that remove the most common food sensitivities and incorporate simple food-combining principles—focused on nourishment, not restriction.

3.   Opti-Clean Detox Shake: Daily shake to support detoxification and digestive health.

• Probiotics to strengthen healthy gut bacteria
• Phytonutrients to support the liver in clearing synthetic excess estrogen to balance your hormones
• Adaptogenic herbs to help regulate cortisol
• Digestive enzymes to break down food efficiently
• Antioxidants to decrease your body’s inflammation

4.   Video Library: Step-by-step guidance on navigating cravings, understanding hormones, detox tips, and reintroducing foods.

The Cleanse’s integrated approach is why so many participants see improvement not only in bloating—but also in their energy, sleep, mood, and skin.

Carrot Banana Muffins

To give you a glimpse into how comforting and satisfying cleanse-friendly food can be, here’s one of the most-loved recipes from the Pure Radiance community. It’s simple, cozy, and perfect to have on hand during the holidays when you want something warm and grounding.

Yield: 12 muffins

• 2 cups almond flour, not almond meal
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup dates, remove pits
• 3 ripe bananas
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 ½ cups carrots, shredded (about 5 carrots), or canned pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup walnuts or almonds, finely chopped
• Muffin paper liners

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.

2. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3. In a food processor, combine dates, bananas, eggs, vinegar and coconut oil.

4. Add mixture from food processor to dry mixture in the large bowl and combine thoroughly. Fold in carrots and nuts.

5. Spoon mixture into paper-lined muffin tins.

6. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.

These muffins freeze beautifully, making them an easy grab-and-go option when life gets busy.

Recipes like this are what make the Pure Radiance 21-Day Cleanse so enjoyable. You’ll eat real, easy-to-prepare food that supports digestion and helps reduce bloating—without feeling deprived.

Courtesy of © Elana’s Pantry