Remember when you were a teenager and you could eat as much pepperoni pizza and soda as you wanted and yet never get indigestion or feel bloated? Those were the days!

Sadly, as people age, they tend to have more digestive issues and both bloating and indigestion are at the top of the list. Not only do these things make you feel uncomfortable, but they can greatly interfere with your day-to-day life if you don't take steps to control them.

While the first step in getting your digestive health back on track is always going to be a consultation with a stomach doctor, also known as a gastroenterologist or G.I. specialist, these tips will also help you feel a lot better.

Tip: Don't Drink Any Beverages with Carbonation

That fizz you love in your favorite soda and the carbonation that makes your beer get a nice head when you pour it into a glass is actually carbon dioxide gas. If you drink any carbonated beverages, then the carbon dioxide gas will be released into your stomach and intestines. This can exacerbate issues with bloating that can be avoided by simply not drinking any carbonated beverages.

Tip: Avoid Eating Overly Fatty Foods

When you ingest grease, oils, and fats they act to slow down your body's digestive process. Since you rely on digestion to get your foods and drinks processed through your body in a reasonable amount of time so they don't linger around and cause you to feel bloated, it's important to avoid consuming overly fatty foods.

While a simple meal comprised of a big, greasy hamburger and a pile of deep-fried French fries might taste great when you eat it, you will likely regret having eaten it a few hours later.

Tip: Stop Consuming Gas-Producing Foods

In addition to carbonated beverages and fatty foods, there are many foods that produce gas as they are broken down by your body. The most common gas-producing foods are:

• peas
• beans
• lentils
• cabbage
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• onions
• mushrooms

In addition, many whole-grain foods such as bread and pasta will also cause problems with intestinal gas and bloating and should be avoided.

Tip: Learn to Meditate and Reduce Your Anxiety

Finally, if you tend to have a lot of anxiety or trouble relaxing, then it's important you realize this can cause you to inhale air more frequently than necessary. The extra air can actually lead to bloating issues. To avoid this problem, learn to meditate or speak to your doctor about other ways to naturally control your anxiety.