papaya

Eating papaya helps encourage digestion, ease indigestion, and prevent constipation. But it's the tropical flavors that make it the perfect debloating snack to enjoy this Summer. While papaya is good and sweet on its own, here are four recipes to have you enjoying this natural debloating food.

Papaya Doughnuts
Here's a doughnut that's definitely diet-approved! A drizzle of agave syrup and squeeze of lime enhance the natural flavor of papaya, and the sunflower seeds add protein, along with a nice crunch. A great addition to any breakfast or brunch menu.

Berry-Papaya Power Parfaits
Combine the powers of fat-fighting blueberries and debloating papaya into one satisfying snack. These parfaits are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Make a few ahead of time and there's no excuse to not enjoy this healthy snack!

See papaya salad two ways after the break!

I never thought I'd say this, but these days, I'm more of a tea person than a coffee person. Ever since getting hooked on ginger tea, I've slowly made my way to other herbal teas and, most recently, black and green tea. Not that I wasn't able to drink them before, but now I actually like them.

Snapple must've known. They shipped over a giant container of their latest drink, Papaya Mango Iced Tea, a new limited-edition beverage released in partnership with CBS's The Amazing Race, and "inspired by the exotic flavors and rich tea tradition of India." We tried both the regular and diet versions, which are, according to the label, "naturally flavored with other natural flavors." What does that even mean?

"The regular tastes good!" Katie remarked on first sip. It's true: the fruity-floral initial notes, mildly bitter black tea, and sweet ending are inherently satisfying. As a longtime Diet Coke drinker, I preferred the aspartame version. It tastes similarly refreshing and doesn't have the lingering aftertaste of some diet beverages. Neither had distinctly mango or papaya notes, but generally tropical, almost pineapple-y flavors.

I don't buy bottled iced tea often, but this would be the perfect drink to get into gear for Spring's warmer days. What's your favorite iced tea flavor?

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

We're not going to lie: transforming your body from head to toe isn't always the fastest process, because it takes time to burn fat and build muscle. However, there is an exception: With the right diet and workout, you can see a difference in your belly (and maybe even reveal an ab or two!) in just a couple of days. The secret? Beat bloat.

Generally, the best way to avoid bloat is to stay away from soda, alcohol and greasy, salty, fatty meals, which slow the stomach and the intestines from emptying, according to Timothy S. Harlan (a.k.a. Dr. Gourmet), M.D., medical director of Tulane University's School of Medicine.

Here are 5 of our favorite bloat-busting foods, and a few moves to add to your belly-shrinking workout routine.

• Papaya: There's some research that says the enzyme in papaya may aid digestion. Try mixing diced papaya into plain organic yogurt for breakfast.
• Oatmeal: According to Harlan, in a recent meta-analysis of a number of studies related to digestion, researchers found that oat bran can be particularly beneficial. Harlan recommends having oatmeal for breakfast. Warning: Avoid McDonald's new oatmeal, which has more sugar than a Snickers bar, according to this recent New York Times article. Yikes!

More foods to decrease the bloat, so keep reading.

While on the island of Maui, I took full advantage of the fact that papayas were local and in season. One morning, I enjoyed the melonlike fruit for breakfast in a straightforward tropical medley, with other South Pacific favorites like passionfruit and starfruit; now, I'm longing to dress it up slightly, perhaps with some cacao nibs and hazelnuts for crunch.

The fruit could've just as easily been shaved or shredded into a savory Southeast Asian salad. Much like mangoes, the papaya can be enjoyed unripe, and adds crunch and sweetness in a toss with fish sauce, dried shrimp, and garlic in the Thai salad known as som tam. Get the recipe for either when you read on.

That chili cheese dog was calling your name, and now that you downed the entire thing in five minutes flat, heartburn and indigestion are making you wish you hadn't. That burning pressure in your chest is unbearable, and if you don't like reaching for over-the-counter meds like Zantac, take advantage of a natural remedy — papaya.

This tropical fruit encourages digestion, eases indigestion (and constipation), and is known to relieve heartburn. The magic is in the enzymes papain and chyomopapain, which break down proteins and soothe the stomach by promoting a healthy acidic environment.

You can reap the benefits by eating fresh papaya or drinking fresh juice, but these options are not always convenient when heartburn hits. Also, eating unripe papaya may lead to uterine contractions making the fruit off-limits for the many pregnant women who suffer from heartburn. Since I should be counted among the pregos plagued with digestive issues, I found some papaya extract tablets that contain ripened papaya fruit with papain, amylase, and protease enzymes. I keep the little $3 tube in my purse, and when I eat something I know won't sit well, I chew one tablet. I'm amazed at how well it works.

These days, pineapples are available year-round at the store, so you may not know that they're actually at their peak between the months of March and July. The best way to enjoy these tropical fruits? Skip the can and select the largest, plumpest specimen you can find, preferably one with a little give. Trim and cut it — then savor its succulence with a fresh fruit salad.

Pineapples have traditionally been employed in tropical fruit salads, where they complement the flavors of papayas, mangoes, and toasted coconut. But don't overlook a savory application. Combine the fruit with cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs in a fiery Asian vinaigrette for a sweet-hot twist. Make it a full meal by adding shredded rotisserie chicken or garlicky grilled shrimp. Aching for a taste of the tropics? Decide whether to go the sweet or salty route when you read more.