When your clothes begin to feel tight or your old watch is leaving pronounced indents on your wrist, you may find yourself wondering where the added weight is coming from (despite your healthy diet and workouts)! Welcome to the world of bloat- the annoying water retention that’s easily seen in distended bellies, swollen ankles and feet (also called edema)! Dealing with edema may be more of making better additions to your menu than taking things out.

Foods that are high in salt –processed foods and drinks are the chief culprits’ asides from illness. Foods that naturally help with bloat, called diuretic foods, work to the increase production of urine helping you get rid of excess water and salt.
Diuretics should not be used to PRIMARILY achieve weight loss, as weight gain is certain to return on rehydration, which may be accompanied by mineral imbalance complications. Several Nigerian foods providing excellent diuresis include:

WATERMELON:  Though mostly water and natural sugar, the high potassium content makes this fruit an excellent diuretic.

LEMONS: With their high water content and plenty of vitamin C, lemons help to flush toxins and excess water out of the body.

CUCUMBERS: My go to snack helps the body to get rid of excess water due to its vitamins minerals and high fiber content.

CELERY: Crunchy munchy celery sticks and leaves helps fight edema and weight gain due to its high fiber and water content.

GINGER: Ginger works to flush out excess fluid and is easily added to your menu via salad dressings, as ginger tea or as a fresh spice in your cooking.

BEETS: Beet is a very effective diuretic prompting bathroom visits soon after consumption. To get the best of its health benefits, juicing is recommended.

PINEAPPLE: Pineapples are a great addition to your edema control menu! They can be eaten as is, added to cooking or to smoothies.

PARSLEY: Parsley is great for diuresis and can easily be combined with a lot of meals either as part of a juice, smoothie or added to your meals while cooking.

TIGERNUTS: are super foods containing significant amounts of iron and potassium which encourage urination and cleansing of the system. Tigernuts contain resistant starch which is great for weight loss.

WATER: The most unlikely item abi? Well water is important as it helps to move toxins out of the body. Most edema patients are surprised when they are asked to up their water intake. When your body is not properly hydrated, toxins dissolved in the little water available are trapped in the tissues leading to swelling.