As a first-generation Colombian American, I grew up around sports, and let’s be real fútbol, culture — even if I, personally, wasn’t kicking a ball. All around me, my relatives and neighborhood friends in New Jersey frequently wore their preferred fútbol team’s jersey. For the Colombians, it was Atlético Nacional, obviously. For those on the block who had longer roots in the Northeast, it was the New York Red Bulls. There were also many who sported jerseys of English league teams, with the names of their favorite South American or Central American players from those teams stitched on the backs.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 10, 2023--

Our bellies have always been the target of derision and ire. Long have they been poked and prodded. Sighed at and sucked in. Reprimanded and insulted. But ever since social media became the new WebMD for chronic self-diagnosers, it’s been open season on every little bodily function. Every involuntary twitch, skin bump and mood shift has been analysed to death – but none more so than the dreaded bloat. Stomach bloating can happen for all sorts of reasons. Often the main culprit is a big meal. It’s that feeling of being uncomfortably full and needing to undo the top button of your jeans, as if you’ve just had a particularly heavy Sunday roast. Unless you have real food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or the symptom is caused by hormonal changes, bloating is the body’s normal reaction to eating a little too much. It usually subsides after a few hours. But this is 2023. A bit of bloating is no longer something you can just wait a few hours to get rid of – social media dictates that it needs to be gone immediately, and if it doesn’t then there must be something wrong with you. And not to stop there, either. You should also be cutting 10 different types of foods out of your life, doing five simple exercises 200 times a day and taking an assortment of supplements and pills because God forbid your stomach be round for the next two hours. According to Dr Tamara Alireza, a functional medicine specialist at Skinfluencer London, bloating should be taken seriously if it doesn’t come and go with food. If it becomes a chronic problem, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as persistent stomach and pelvic pain, changes to bowel habits, unexpected weight loss, fatigue and fever, vomiting, or bleeding, it may be something different entirely. “Excess bloating can be linked to IBS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and coeliac disease, but also to more serious conditions,” she says. But we are a society obsessed with quick fixes, and anti-bloating pills have become a popular “cure” for the woes of a distended belly. Last month, fitness influencer Sam Cutler took it to new heights when she provided the pills for her wedding guests during the meal. Some viewers of her TikTok video – which sparked so much horror that it rapidly went viral – claimed that the pills were essentially “laxatives”. The glut of brands that have emerged in recent years would disagree, though. Many claim to use all-natural ingredients to “speed up digestion” and reduce gas without a laxative effect. Admittedly, curiosity got the better of me. I am lucky enough not to suffer from any particularly gut-churning conditions, but I do have eyes bigger than my stomach. It means I regularly end up regretting wearing trousers to a meal, cursing myself as my belly strains against the waistband. Could these pills really make me feel more comfortable after a big dinner, or would they just lead to some unfortunate toilet habits? I am kindly sent a couple of packs by Wild Dose, which lists extracts of ginger, liquorice, fennel seed, turmeric, peppermint leaf and dandelion root alongside a “proprietary enzyme complex” and a probiotic blend in each brown pill. They smell very herbal and are a rather unappealing greenish-brown colour – it initially makes me wonder if it’s an omen for what my guts are about to experience. After two weeks of taking them daily, I found that they did make a slight difference in my post-meal stupor and I feel comfortable quicker than before. However, the change has been marginal and, if anything, they made me more gassy, to the chagrin of my significant other. The medical community is reluctant to support the efficacy of similar supplements, as there remains little clinical research to back up their claims. Dr Alireza describes anti-bloat pills as a “Band-Aid on a fire hydrant” for people who have genuine problems with their gut. “I generally would not recommend taking any pills to counteract the bloating,” she says, “rather I would be keen to first determine the source of the issue.” She points to her practice, which aims to determine the root cause of symptoms and treat it – instead of providing temporary fixes. But I think the real reason behind social media’s obsession with bloating has nothing to do with #guthealth. Instead, it is our inherent fatphobia and fear of fatness that fuel this battle against the bloat. Are we so afraid of looking fat for even a couple of hours that we flock to pills and exercises with such abandon? Given the way people have fallen over themselves to get their hands on Ozempic, a drug intended to help diabetes patients but which has made a name for itself as a weight-loss miracle, it appears the answer is yes. It’s no mistake, either, that women are the primary targets for anti-bloating content online. Studies show that women are twice as likely to experience it as men, particularly during menstruation and menopause because of hormonal fluctuations. But the expectation for women to maintain at least the illusion of thinness at all times is also much higher. Many of us learned at an early age how to suck in our stomachs and – even as adults – keep them sucked in pretty much all day. As I write this, I realise that I’ve been subconsciously engaging my core muscles despite sitting behind a desk. No wonder the promise of no more bloating is so appealing, if it makes looking mildly smaller less of a chore. Joanna Dase, fitness expert and operations director of female-focused health clubs Curves, says that any medical conditions should be diagnosed by qualified professionals rather than social media. She acknowledges that while bloating can affect body image, no one should worry about your normal, natural responses to digestion. “If you have a professional opinion and there is no health problem related to it, then you just need to have an actual understanding of your body and its natural functions, and being OK with yourself. It’s just how your body breaks down food.” Read More Wellness gurus claim your hormones are out to get you – but is it just another scam? ‘Thanks Pfizer’: The weird world of shakes, health anxiety and illness online A One Direction fan claimed she had a brain tumour. 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Diwali, the festival lights, sees millions of people attend events across the world every autumn to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in Indian culture and calls for a number of traditional dishes. From the popular sweet treats to the savoury main meals, here are some of the key foods eaten over the course of the five-day celebration, which this year begins on Sunday 12 November. Mithai South Asian sweets and desserts are called mithai and are a staple part of Diwali celebrations. Many of the treats are fried foods made from sugar, chickpea flour and condensed milk. They vary between regions but common ones include balushahi, which are a bit like doughnuts, laddoos and barfis. They can be eaten alongside savoury items or eaten alone as a snack. It is custom to exchange decorated boxes of mithai among family and friends during Diwali. Chivda Snacks are a fundamental part of the Diwali menu and many of them come in the form of chivda, a spiced Bombay mix that consists of a variety of dried ingredients, such as peanuts, chickpeas, fried onion and fried lentils. Sometimes, it’s eaten as part of a meal but most of the time it’s enjoyed on its own as a snack. Lapsi Halwa This sweet dish is often eaten on the very first day of Diwali and is made from large-grain cracked wheat, which is then cooked with ghee and sweetened with sugar and cardamom powder. It’s incredibly popular and is often served with a yardlong bean curry, as the beans are thought to represent longevity. Aloo Tikki These small, fried patties are made from shredded potatoes and are usually served alongside regional sauces, such as mint sauce or tamarind sauce. They look and taste a bit like potato pancakes and are usually crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them an irresistible traditional Indian delicacy. Samosas Though they’re eaten all year round, samosas peak in popularity around Diwali. The fried pockets of pastry usually come in the shape of a triangle and are stuffed with either mince meat, lentils or vegetables. Because Diwali is all about celebrating the sweetness of life, special sweet versions are often made to mark the festival, containing ingredients such as coconut, cardamom and of course, sugar. Read More Festival of light: Diwali celebrations around the world When is Diwali 2023 and how is it celebrated? How to get free nuggets at Wendy’s for the rest of the year Why I’m giving up sobriety when everyone else is giving up drinking

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The cornerstone of one’s winter wardrobe, a coat is an essential purchase if you’re looking to update your look for the new season. On the AW23 catwalks, designers delivered exceptional outerwear, with everything from tailored cuts and muted tones to bold hues and glamorous animal prints. These are the runway trends to know about now, and where to shop them on the high street… 1. Black magic The latest iteration of the continuing ‘quiet luxury’ trend, black tailored coats were all over the runways, from Givenchy (oversized) and The Row (double-breasted), to Dolce and Gabbana (nipped in at the waist). The ultimate outerwear investment piece, a long, black coat in a classic cut made with high-quality fabric will – if you look after it carefully – last you a lifetime. Mango Double-breasted Wool Coat Black, £179.99; 100% Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, £119.99; Leather Boots with Tall Leg, £199.99. Lucy Sparks Black Waist Tie Women’s Coat With Deep Pockets and Shawl Lapel, £53; (other items, stylist’s own), SilkFred. Joe Browns Black Fur Trim Coat, £130; Black High Neck Embellished Long Sleeve Top, £21.60 (was £24); Nobody’s Child Mila Midi Skirt, £45; Square Toe Leather Boots, £75, JD Williams 2. Lipstick brights At the other end of the style spectrum, coats in brilliantly bright lipstick shades popped up repeatedly, from fuchsia at Gucci and raspberry pink at Max Mara, to scarlet at Valentino and Bally. If you’re looking for a statement staple this winter, ruby red is an elegant option, while a hot pink coat will brighten up any outfit. Star by Julien Macdonald Pink Cape Belted Coat, £119; Eyelet PU Ponte Leggings, £42, Freemans. Monsoon Bobbie Boucle Coat Red, £150; Cutwork Floral Embroidered Top Black, £70; Lara Wide Leg Jean Blue, £80; (shoes, stylist’s own). 3. Luxe leopard Take a walk on the wild side with an animal print coat, as seen at Stella McCartney, Ganni and Dolce & Gabbana. From lightweight leopard print coats perfect for layering over chunky knits, to thick furry jackets that work with everything from jeans to party dresses, a roar-some coat is a surprisingly versatile option. Roman Tan Premium Animal Print Faux Fur Coat, £89. Issy London Lena Leopard Faux Fur Jacket, £219. 4. Trench coats The timeless trench coat is having a high-fashion moment this season, with appearances on the catwalks at Chloé, Dries Van Noten and (of course) Burberry, the brand that invented the style. A longline trench in stone or camel will serve you well from autumn through to spring when teamed with cosy accessories – add leather gloves, over-the-knee boots and a cross-body bag for an effortlessly chic look. Albaray Belted Trench Coat, £165; Blue White Stripe Organic Cotton Shirt, £79; 90’s Straight Leg Jeans, £79. Paisie Faux Fur Collar Coat, £188 5. Quiet quilting Taking over from power puffers, lightweight quilted jackets are the trendiest way to wrap up warm this winter, according to Hermès, Chloé and Max Mara. Muted tones rules when it comes to this fashion-meets-function trend – think khaki, forest green and beige. La Redoute Recycled Padded Jacket in Slim Fit, £65; (other items, stylist’s own). George Green Quilted Parka Coat, £35, Asda. Read More 12 ways to weave some woodland wonder into your home Hibernation mode: 5 small self-care adjustments to make before the clocks change 13 possible cancer symptoms you should get checked out Neglecting women’s health at work could cost UK economy £20.2bn a year – analysis Nearly three-quarters of mothers feel invisible, study suggests The best ways to work-out in 22 minutes – as study finds this is magic number for offsetting ‘negative impact of sitting’

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