http://wi.essortment.com/fingernailsnutr_rjbo.htm

Here's a couple of sites that might help with the fingernail problem.  I
always had beautiful nails until about three years ago when they started
peeling and splitting.  I started taking vitamins on a regular basis and
this seemed to help.  My biggest problem was keeping them moisturized.  They
seem to do much better when I remember to use hand lotion several times a
day.  You might want to check with your doctor if they become worse as the
condition of your nails can indicate a medical problem.

The bloating might be a combination of foods you're eating.  I have no
problem with popcorn or diet soda but let me eat the two at the same time
and I feel like the Goodyear Blimp.  I've found microwave popcorn doesn't
seem to cause the bloating as much as the popcorn I get at work.  It's
popped in a machine similar to the type used at movie theatres.  I think it
might be the seasoning they use on it that causes the bloating.  I made the
mistake of eating it before a meeting recently and thought I was going to
explode before the meeting ended<g>

Beverly

I don't have the fingernail problem but I do have a bloating problem.  I eat
gelatin pretty regularly (both sf jello and the Knox unflavored stuff in
recipes) and when I was younger I was told that helps nails.  I have very
strong nails that grow quickly and I actually have to work to keep them
short.

I've been more prone to gas and swelling depending on what I eat, and also
indigestion like I've never experienced.  The main problem I have is with
salt/sodium/msg.  I've always been one to retain water, dangerously so at
times and now it's just that much more obvious.  If I eat something salty, I
wake up with a round face instead of an oval one, my entire body is swollen,
my joints hurt, and I'm guaranteed to be 5-10 pounds heavier (in one day).
If I drink my water, stay away from the salt, etc. I can get back to normal
in 24-48 hours.  I was never this sensitive until I lost the weight.  It's
also hormones.  My gyn says my hormones are also playing a part in this
escapade as my body has not adjusted to the new weight range yet.

It's almost harder to avoid salt than sugar when buying groceries,
especially when you really don't have time to prepare everything from
scratch.

Jenn

I do.  I can offer no suggestions as I'm pretty clueless about it and
frustrated by it, too.  All I know is that I REALLY can't eat some
high-protein stuff (EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control bars, Hi-Lo cereal)
without this happening for sure.  Dunno if it's soy or whey protein, but
there's some sensitivity...

I'm sure you'll get lots of great suggestions about the right vitamins and
nail products and hydration and all that (not much works for me), but
here's a rec for a lotion....Vaseline Healthy Hand Essentials.  Keeping
hands moisturized is important anyway, but no lotions/creams have been as
effective at getting my nails into shape as this stuff.  It's so good that
I had a bottle stolen from my desk at work, even!

Best of luck,
Alison