The 8 foods to blame for your puffy face and bloated belly – and the simple swaps to lose inches

EVER woken up feeling bloated in the tummy, puffy under the eyes and just generally, well, like a watery balloon?

It can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to lose weight and you’re in a calorie deficit, yet puffiness is hiding your results. 

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Andy Daly, nutritionist at Dr David Jack, says there are various factors which can cause this swollen, inflated look. 

“A puffy face or facial bloating is often caused by water retention, inflammation, or dietary factors,” she says. 

As for a puffy, bloated belly, Andy notes that dietary choices, food intolerances, and digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can be to blame.

Feeling puffy in your arms and legs? If you’ve had a night on the booze, then this could be to blame. 

“Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and leads to dehydration,” says Andy. 

“In response to dehydration, the body tries to retain as much water as possible, leading to puffiness, especially in areas like the face and extremities.

“This fluid retention can cause a swollen appearance, especially the morning after consuming alcohol.”

Want to cut down on the puffiness? Take note of these foods and opt for their alternatives instead…

1. Crisps 

Salty foods such as crisps, chips, processed meats and canned soups can be a puffy problem. 

“High sodium intake leads to water retention, as the body holds onto water to dilute the excess salt,” says Andy.

“This can cause swelling in many parts of the body, including the face.”

Make the swap

“Opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added versions of these foods,” suggests Andy.

“Fresh vegetables, fruits, and unsalted nuts are good alternatives.

“Using herbs and spices to flavour food instead of salt can reduce sodium intake.”

As well as this, aim to include potassium-rich foods into your diet.

Try bananas, spinach, and sweet potatoes, which can help balance sodium levels and reduce water retention.

2. Sweets and cakes 

If you’ve been indulging in sweets, fizzy drinks, processed fruit juices and baked goods (to name just a few) then you might be facing the wrath of a puffy face. 

Andy explains that a high sugar intake can cause insulin spikes, leading to water retention. 

“Sugar also promotes inflammation, which can cause puffiness,” she adds.

Make the swap

Replace sugary snacks with low GI fruits, such as berries, which provide natural sweetness along with fibre and nutrients. 

Low GI foods cause less of a blood sugar spike. 

“Drinking water or herbal teas instead of sugary drinks can also help reduce facial puffiness,” says Andy. 

3. White pasta 

Although they’re delicious, refined carbs such as white bread, white rice, pastries, cakes and pasta might not be doing your face any favours. 

“Refined carbs can cause blood sugar spikes, leading to water retention and inflammation,” says Andy.

Make the swap

Choose whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grain pasta.

“These options have more fibre and nutrients, which help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of water retention,” says Andy.

4. Alcohol

Beer, red wine, cocktails and dark spirits, such as whiskey, brandy and rum, are the worst culprits here. 

“Beer is high in carbohydrates and often contains gluten, leading to bloating and puffiness, whilst cocktails and mixed drinks contain added sugars, which contribute to insulin spikes and water retention, leading to increased puffiness,” says Andy.

“Dark spirits contain high levels of impurities, formed during fermentation and ageing, which can increase the severity of hangovers and related puffiness, and red wine has high histamine levels that can lead to inflammation and swelling.”

Alcohol dehydrates the body, prompting it to retain water, leading to a puffy face, arms and legs.

“Alcohol can also trigger inflammation in the body, as it can be toxic to tissues and organs, especially the liver,” warns Andy.

“This inflammatory response can lead to swelling and puffiness.

“Chronic inflammation from regular alcohol consumption can lead to more persistent swelling and other health issues.”

Make the swap

Limit alcohol intake and drink water alongside alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated.

Opting for non-alcoholic drinks or ‘mocktails‘ can also help prevent puffiness, Andy says.

If you are drinking alcohol, clear spirits such as vodka, gin and white rum may be better options to help avoid puffiness.

Andy recommends using sparkling water or fresh citrus juice instead of sugary mixers and syrups too,

5. Milk and cheese

Milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream may be causing you some issues in the puffiness department. 

“Some people have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk, which can lead to bloating and inflammation,” says Andy.

“Dairy can also increase mucus production, contributing to a puffy appearance.”

Make the swap

Give lactose-free dairy products a try or plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut yoghurt.

These may be easier to digest and could cause less bloating, according to Andy.

If you think dairy might be behind your belly bloat, opt for hard cheeses and yoghurt with live cultures which you may be able to tolerate better as they contain less lactose. 

6. Cruciferous vegetables

Ever found yourself struggling with belly bloat after tucking into broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts?

According to Andy, these contain raffinose, a complex sugar that is hard to digest and can cause gas and bloating.

“This is especially true for people with IBS or SIBO,” she adds.

“When certain bacteria ferment these foods, they release gases such as methane, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide.”

Make the swap

Swerve the bloating veg and opt for less gas-producing vegetables.

Why not try spinach, courgette or bell peppers, Andy asks.

7. Hummus and beans

Beans, chickpeas, and other legumes contain high amounts of fibre and oligosaccharides.

These are fermented by gut bacteria which can lead to gas and bloating in the belly, Andy warns.

Make the swap

“Soaking legumes overnight and thoroughly cooking them can reduce their bloating potential,” advises Andy.

“For a less bloating-prone alternative, try lentils and mung beans, which are generally easier to digest.”

8. Fermented foods high in histamine

Often, the gut-loving foods we’re told to eat might actually be causing some problems with regards to tummy bloating and puffiness.

“Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, yoghurt, and certain cheeses are high in histamine,” says Andy.

“People with histamine intolerance lack sufficient levels of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), leading to histamine build-up, which can cause bloating, headaches, and other symptoms.”

Make the swap

Think histamine-rich foods might be causing you issues?

It’s worth tracking your food for a few weeks and noting what is causing any puffiness or bloating. 

Then, Andy suggests opting for fresh, non-fermented foods that are typically lower in histamine. 

“Fresh fruits and vegetables (except for those high in histamine like tomatoes and spinach), fresh meats, and gluten-free grains are safer choices,” she says.