The tip: Avoid swallowing extra air.

Why it works: Quick biology reminder: When you breathe air, it goes through your lungs and supplies your blood cells with essential oxygen. When you swallow air, however, it can cause your intestines to fill up like a bicycle tire.

But who exactly is gulping down air? According to Raj, gum-chewers and straw-sippers. To prevent bloating, give up the gum and drink straight from the cup. Also, don't scarf down your lunch like it's the last meal you're ever going to eat. "When you eat in a hurry, you swallow a lot of gas-producing air," explains Raj.

The tip: Skip your mid-afternoon Diet Coke.

Why it works: Carbonated beverages contain gas. Extra gas in your intestines causes bloating. Seems simple to understand -- but at the rate our office runs through Diet Cokes and sparkling water, it clearly isn't.

Swap your fizzy drinks for flat water -- not only will you prevent bubble-induced bloating, you'll also help reduce bloating from other sources, because drinking a lot of water is one of the best things you can do to get rid of bloating quickly, says Cohen. Raj adds that when you're dehydrated, things don't move properly through your intestines and then your body holds on to every last drop of water it can get.

The tip: Avoid artificial sweeteners.

Why it works: Your gum and diet soda are bad for another reason: artificial sweeteners. They mess with your digestive tract because they can't be absorbed and broken down properly. "Namely, they aren't absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine -- that's why they don't add calories -- and they end up traveling to the colon, where they are fermented by bacteria, leading to gas and then bloating," explains Raj. If the phrase "colon fermentation" isn't enough to help you kick your Diet Coke habit, I don't know what is.

The tip: Avoid carbs and dairy before a big event.

Why it works: "It doesn't matter how low-cal it is, the dairy and multi-grains will expand in your intestines, causing your gut to stick out," she explains.

Raj adds that carb-heavy foods actually cause your body to store more water than proteins, and can be hard to digest.

If you simply cannot survive without carbs, choose a natural carb like a sweet potato or banana over processed carbs, since processed carbs contain more sodium. Try Cohen's recipe for a bloat-free breakfast: "Take 1/2 cup raw oats, 3 egg whites, 1/2 apple, and a dash of cinnamon and throw in a blender." This creates an easy, healthy pancake mix. "This high-fiber non-fat breakfast choice offers whole-grain fiber plus additional fiber from the apple, and protein from the egg whites," she adds. Raj says that oatmeal is unlikely to cause bloating, as it is high in soluble fiber and promotes healthy digestion.