Bloating or swelling is one of the plethora of symptoms that most women experience during pregnancy. Swelling is usually caused by a larger amount of blood in the body that pools up specifically in the lower extremities, if circulation is poor. There are several medications that can ease the swelling. However, some of these drugs can cause some side effects, which are best to be avoided during pregnancy. Hence, it would be safer to stick to some great foods that can help you get rid of the swelling naturally and safely without any side effects. Here are some groups of foods that have the potential to reduce the swelling by their unique action on the kidneys and other functions of the body.

Foods that Flush Out Water

Certain foods are known to improve the efficiency with which your kidneys function and form urine in order to eliminate more water and prevent swelling. Some such foods include watercress, apples, celery, parsley and citrus fruits. You can also include in your regular diet asparagus, beets, grapes, leafy green vegetables, green beans, pineapple and pumpkin to improve your circulation and ease the edema. Add more garlic and onion to the dishes you prepare for better and faster results.

Foods That Maintain Fluid Balance

Use of potassium is largely associated with preventing and reducing pregnancy swelling. Potassium keeps the body fluids chemically balanced, which is a critical requirement for you as your blood volume increases by almost 50% during pregnancy. Expecting mothers should aim for about 4,700 milligrams of potassium in a day. The foods that are rich in Potassium are meats, fruits, fish, legumes, vegetables and dairy products.

Work It Out With Natural Diuretics

A diuretic is a substance that has the ability to reduce the level of fluids in the body by increasing the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. While your doctor may prescribe you some diuretic medicines, you may also use the foods having diuretic properties. Some of the effective diuretic foods include onions, leafy greens, beans, pineapple, beat, asparagus, parsley, grapes and garlic. Foods containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and chocolate also have diuretic properties; however, you are advised against consuming too much of these substances as it may have an unfavorable effect on your health and also interfere with your sleep.

Here are some more foods and drinks that can help you with your edema:

Coconut

Cooling down with coconut is a great way to reduce the pregnancy swelling. Coconut water is high in potassium that helps flush out sodium and water from the body. Coconut water also reduces water retention and fights the bloat. Drink coconut water in addition to your regular intake of plain water and not in place of it. And one more thing: Choose varieties that do not contain artificial ingredients or added sugar.

Dandelion

Dandelion is thought of as nothing more than a weed; but this perennial is full of nutrients like iron, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. It also acts as a natural diuretic and reduces water retention. However, though it is a natural herb, it is not safe for you if you have been diagnosed with a kidney or gallbladder problem. Hence, it is wise to consult your doctor before you begin to use this herb.

Melons

Melons are of great help for reducing water retention in pregnant women due to their high potassium content. Have a melon smoothie or add melons to your fruit salad to sail through your day without any swelling.

Salmon

Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. It is considered a super food for reducing swelling and fluid retention. It offers several other benefits for pregnant women like better functioning brain, heart and joints. Include salmon in your diet at least twice per week.

Whole grains and nuts

Whole grains and nuts are the tasty sources of vitamin B6 that can help you get relief from edema. The whole grain products and nuts are good to fight your morning sickness as well. So that’s a double bonanza for pregnant women! But, make sure that you avoid salted nuts and the whole grains you eat are low in sodium. There’s one more bonus here: Whole grains are a great source of fiber, which can ease your digestive troubles during pregnancy like constipation and heartburn.

Cucumber

Cucumbers contain silicon and sulfur both of which stimulate the kidneys to secrete more urine. Eat them raw or add them to your salad. You can also grate them to fine pieces and add them to your water. Drink this water 2 to 3 times a day to keep the swelling at bay.

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Medical advice:

Though these tips and foods are safe and highly effective in reducing edema in pregnancy, it is important to check with your doctor whether you need any tests to rule out the dangerous causes of fluid retention like pre-eclampsia that need any specific treatment.