Why this one, mama
Your gut bacteria affect bloating directly. And bloating is why your belly looks wider at 9pm than it did at 8am — which is when most of us check, panic, and message me convinced the gap has got worse.
A calmer gut means a flatter-feeling belly, with nothing changing in your midline at all.
What counts
Curd with your lunch. A glass of buttermilk in the afternoon. Idli or dosa made from fermented batter. A spoonful of homemade pickle. Fermented kanji in winter.
Nothing special needs buying. Most Indian kitchens already have two or three of these.
When to have it
With a meal rather than on its own. Curd with lunch suits most people better than curd at night, though if you've always had it at dinner and feel fine, carry on.
One honest note
Every body is different, mama. What settles one person's stomach can upset another's. Some of you won't get on with dairy. Some find pickle too sharp. Some have a gut condition that changes the rules entirely.
So take this as a general habit for the group, not a prescription for you. If something doesn't agree with you, leave it — that's not you failing the tip, that's your body telling you something useful.
And if you're dealing with persistent bloating, a diagnosed gut condition, IBS, reflux, or anything your doctor is already managing, please follow their guidance over mine. A registered dietitian can look at your situation properly in a way a group tip never can.