What Foods Cause Gas And Bloating

Tips On Controlling Gas

Foods That Cause Gas & Bloating…And What To Eat Instead

Everyone has gas in the digestive tract.

People often believe normal passage of gas to be excessive.

Gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the large intestine.

Swallowed air can be affected by a number of contributing factors. Dentures that do not fit well can cause people to swallow more saliva which carries air bubbles; postnasal drip tends to make people swallow more often, carrying more air to the stomach; smoking a cigar or pipe may increase the amount of saliva produced and swallowed; eating too fast increases the amount of air swallowed; gum chewing and sucking on hard candies also increases the amount of air swallowed.

Many foods with carbohydrates can cause gas. Fats and proteins cause little gas.

Foods more likely to cause gas include:

Beans

Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, radishes, celery, carrots

Fruits such as apples, peaches, raisins, bananas, apricots, prune juice, pears

Whole grains and bran

Carbonated drinks

Milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream

Packaged foods prepared with lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing

Foods containing sorbitol, such as dietetic foods and sugarfree candies and gums

Beverages such as wine and dark beer

Foods less likely to cause gas include:

Meat, poultry, fish

Vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, okra,

A List Of Foods That Cause Bloating And Gas

So, which foods cause belly bloat or are at least likely to do so, especially if eaten excessively? Before we list the suspects, let us remind you once again that a balanced diet is key to a healthy digestive system and that the inclusion on the below list does not mean that these items should be banned from your fridge and cupboards. If you have no medical condition that requires a special diet, stick to moderation and, especially in the case of fruits and vegetables, try to get your gut used to fibre before giving up on certain foods.;

So, what foods cause gas and bloating?

Legumes

Legumes are at the top of the list of foods that cause bloating. The reason for this is raffinose, a complex carbohydrate composed of glucose, fructose, and galactose. The human body lacks the enzymes needed to break down raffinose, so it passes undigested to the large intestine where it is fermented by bacteria. This process results in bloating.

Dairy Products

Milk and most dairy products, including some cheeses and ice cream, contain milk sugar, or lactose. People with total or partial lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, suffer from intestinal gas. Along with bloating, triggered by lactose, diarrhea can also occur.

Wholegrain Cereals

Wholegrain cereals are rich in raffinose and fibre which cause excessive production of intestinal gas due to bacterial activity. The only cereal that does not cause bloating is rice.

Some Vegetables

Some Fruits

Chewing Gum

Pay Attention To Various Forms Of Sugar

Just about everything we eat daily contains sugar. Sugar alcohols like xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol have FODMAP properties and can lead to bloating, says Lindsey Bristol, M.S., R.D., author of The Sexy Abs Diet. The body has a hard time digesting these artificial sweeteners, which can lead to a bloated stomach. Instead, explore healthier food swaps to reduce bloat, such as stevia, agave, or natural honey, and limit them as much as possible.

Watch out for hidden sources of sugar in your regular diet, too. Processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, protein bars, and condiments, including ketchup, tomato sauce, and marinades can contain sugar in other forms. Read labels and opt for cleaner versions of products that have minimal sugar and additives. Eat whole foods as much as possible.

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How Can I Stop Excess Gas Or Bloating

Itâs important to know that gas and bloating are very common. But when they start to impact your everyday life, it might be time to seek help to address the main causes.

There are numerous scientifically proven ways to reduce regular bloating which are worth exploring but, bear in mind everyoneâs digestion mechanics are unique. Dr. Guandalini, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist and celiac disease specialist, recommends firstly to take a look at your diet and see if possibly the bloating is simply due to an excessive intake of fiber , or carbonated beverages. If this does not seem to be the case, then you may try peppermint oil, as itâs easy to find at any pharmacy or health food store, and has a good clinical support.

Additionally, some probiotics have been shown to reduce bloating, and may well be worth trying . This approach will however require a few weeks of trial to see if that individual mix of bacteria is effective for your own microbiome.

If these remedies arenât the answer, itâs time to work with a gastroenterologist to find the reason behind the bloating and gas. Be prepared for your initial visit with a food diary and a list of medications you take.

Put together a list of symptoms as they relate to bowel habits. Do the symptoms occur right after eating? Do the symptoms change in relation to your bowel habits? With these answers, and a list of your current symptoms, your gastroenterologist might recommend further testing including:

Why Do Farts Smell So Bad

Digestive gases comprise oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. This mixture is originally odorless but acquires an unpleasant smell when the digested food passes into the colon for the final stage of the digestive process, wherein the digested food starts decomposing in the large intestine.

The bacterial decomposition infuses trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide, skittle, and indole to the digestive air, giving it a contemptible odor. The foul smell associated with farts is due to the presence of;sulfur. The higher the sulfur content, the stronger the smell.

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How To Prevent Gas When Eating Beans And Broccoli

Many foods can cause the embarrassing and uncomfortable issue of gas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat broccoli, beans, dairy, or pears. Choose beans with less fiber such as adzuki, black-eyed peas, edamame, and baby lima beans, and eat them with easily digestible foods like rice or quinoa. Avoid pairing beans with other foods that cause you digestive upset such as spicy peppers, onions, or dairy products.

As your body becomes accustomed to eating beans, gradually increase the amount you eat. It may also help to pair dairy products with easily digestible foods such as pasta, bread, brown rice, or fruit such as blueberries or bananas. .

What Foods Cause Gas

Carbohydrate-rich foods tend to cause gas, whereas;foods that contain mostly fats and proteins do not. That doesn’t mean carbs are bad for youin fact, lots of healthy carb-rich foods are high in beneficial nutrients like fiber.

That said, if you suddenly add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, you might notice more gas. The exchange may not seem fair since by adding these healthy whole foods, you’re actually improving your diet. But take heart: Not all plant foods cause gas in everyone. Often, as your body adjusts to the change, you’ll experience less gas.

Importantly, every body is different, and food sensitivities differ from person to person. What causes gas and digestive discomfort for one person may not have the same effect in another. However, with just a little trial and error, you can determine which foods you are most sensitive to. Commonly, these include:

The common denominator here is carbohydrates;that contain fructose, lactose, insoluble fiber, and starch. These components ferment in the large intestine, releasing gas as a byproduct of the process.

Foods That Can Cause Belly Bloat

GarlicLike onion, garlic is considered a FODMAP food and can cause bloating and other digestive issues in some people. Karaidel Cruciferous veggies like brussels sprouts and broccoli can cause bloating and excess gas for some people.

Some people are more reactive to gluten and can experience side effects such as tummy pain and bloating,” Tuck said. “Carbonated beverages can cause gas to build up and lead to feelings of bloating,” Tuck said. Eating too fast and in a stressed state and not chewing food well can cause bloating, Bingley-Pullin said.

Sugar And Sugar Substitutes

What Inflammatory Foods Cause Gas and Bloating

Sugar alcohols are used to create sweetness in sugar-free foods and chewing gum. The problem is that your body can find artificial sweeteners difficult to digest , which increases the likelihood of gas, bloating and bowel problems.

Fructose is another simple sugar. Its found in fruit , some vegetables , honey, agave nectar and many sweetened processed foods.

Special fructose carriers in the gut are responsible for fructose absorption. If you have a deficiency of these carriers, fructose can build up in your large intestine and cause gut issues, including bloating.;Fructose malabsorption is fairly common, affecting up to one in three people .

As with many food intolerances, fructose malabsorption can also be down to a gut issue such as dysbiosis, inflammation or IBS.

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Watch Your Wheat Intake

In many cases, bloating from wheat products is often linked to a food sensitivity or an allergy to wheat- and gluten-rich foods. This food sensitivity or allergy is vastly different than Celiac diseasean abnormal immune system reaction to gluten, Dr. Shemek says. People who are allergic or sensitive to wheat are often fine with other grains. We are not eating the same wheat grain our grandparents did. Today, grains have been hybridized and genetically modified to achieve larger crops, which has had a negative effect on our bodies, especially our digestive health.

Replace wheat options with ancient grains such as einkorn, which includes minimal gluten and contains digestible protein for those who have sensitivities. Other great options include quinoa, millet, and amaranth. In addition, swap wheat-based pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, and replace bread with romaine lettuce or collard greens.

When To See A Doctor

You may need medical assistance if bloating and flatulence persist for days or weeks, despite proper dietary and lifestyle modifications.;

If your stomach feels unusually heavy, full, and tight for a prolonged period and the problem fails to subside even after adopting a healthy lifestyle and good food habits, it can be a warning bell for some major health disorders, such as:

Kidney ailments

Stools that are dark red or maroon in color

Is it natural to have some amount of bloating and flatulence?
Is the problem completely resolvable?
Can I change my diet to decrease bloating?
What effective preventive measures help with extra gaseousness?
What is the specific reason behind my flatulence?

For how long have you experienced bloating?
Do you have any concurrent disease or medical condition?
Are you on any medication?
Are you trying any special diet?
If not, what are your dietary habits?
Are you pregnant?

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A List Of Low Gas Vegetables

Some people will be particularly sensitive to gassy vegetables with their high levels of oligosaccharides, fructans or sulfur compounds. They may need to greatly reduce or even eliminate these kind of foods to avoid painful gastrointestinal problems.

For best results replace them with a mix of the following healthy low gas vegetables:

Zucchini
Iceberg lettuce and the even healthier Romaine lettuce
Red and orange bell pepper
Parsley, coriander and other green herbs
Cooked spinach, Swiss chard and most other leafy greens
Summer, winter and butternut squash
Fresh peas and green beans do cause gas as well but usually not as much as dried beans or chickpeas
Bok choy, arugula and watercress are less gassy than other cruciferous vegetables

These veggies dont commonly cause bad gas and you should be able to enjoy most them, even in fairly large servings, without experiencing bloating and excessive flatulence the next day.

The FODMAP;diet can be helpful to pinpoint which particular foods are most problematic if you are having ongoing gastrointestinal upsets.

Worst Foods That Cause Bloating And Gas

Bloating is uncomfortable, and in some cases, the pain is extreme. Although bloating affects both men and women, women suffer from it more. The causes of bloating differ from person to person, but, it has been established that making changes to ones diet significantly helps with beating belly bloat.

It has been established, that certain foods cause bloating just as there are foods that reduce bloating. We will go over the worst foods for bloating but, before we get there, we need to learn what causes of bloating and gas.

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What To Do About Bloating

Since bloating is usually caused by eating habits, changing your diet may help.

Following a low-FOMAPs diet is one of the options if you are prone to bloating. This and other types of elimination diets can help pinpoint the foods that cause bloating.

Changing the way you eat may help. Eat slower and smaller portions and avoid eating while doing other activities.

In some cases, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and charcoal may reduce bloating.

Mild activity and sitting or standing in an upright position can also bring some relief.

To summarize, bloating affects many people and can negatively impact daily life. Lifestyle changes can minimize bloating. Cooking or soaking gas-causing foods or trying alternative foods may reduce bloating.

Do you know of more ways to reduce bloating? Tell us in the comments section!

Up Next:

What Causes Indigestion And Bloat

Indigestion is a group of symptoms that leave you feeling less than top-notch: feeling full early in a meal, uncomfortable fullness post-meal, mild to severe pain in your upper stomach area, burning in your lower stomach area and nausea.

Bloating is also a symptom of indigestion, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you’re experiencing indigestion, it’s possible you:

Ate too much or ate too quickly
Ate spicy, fatty or greasy foods
Took in too much caffeine, alcohol, chocolate or carbonated beverages

These are common causes of indigestion along with smoking, anxiety and taking certain medications or supplements.

Bloating, on the other hand, can be caused by a number of issues like constipation, gut sensitivity or irritable bowel syndrome , eating foods high in fiber and/or FODMAPs .

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Milk And Dairy Products

For people who are lactose intolerant, milk remains one of the worst foods that cause bloating and inflammation.

Other products like yoghurt whey, cheese and ice cream also contain lactose which cant be fully digested if you have lactose intolerance.

I am lactose intolerant and, before I switched to lactose-free milk, I would get terribly bloated within minutes of eating dairy products.

If you are intolerant to lactose, your best substitutes will be almond, soy and coconut milk.

Home Remedies For Bloating

Reduce Stomach Bloating – Avoid These 10 Foods That Cause GAS !

Instead of reaching for medication, its worth giving these natural remedies a try, especially when it comes to belly bloating. If bloating is an underlying symptom, then make sure to reach out to your doctor for a treatment plan, as diet isnt always enough. However, most often bloating is caused by a diet low in fiber. Up that fiber intake so that gut can do a happy dance. While green smoothies for bloating are a great fiber starter, here are some other natural ways to help with bloating:

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Why Gas And Bloating Happen

First of all, its important to remember that gas is normal. Expelling it is, too. The gas in your stomach or bowels has to go somewhere.

Gas is primarily caused by your eating habits and the fermentation process of specific foods.1 It may leave you feeling bloated, or you will simply burp it or pass it.1

Bloating occurs when your GI tract is filled with gas or air. Your stomach doesnt necessarily get bigger than normal, though it can, but it feels that way and is often quite uncomfortable.1

Coeliac Disease And Bloating

Coeliac disease;is a common digestive condition where your intestine cannot absorb gluten found in wheat, barley and rye.

If you have Coeliac disease, eating foods containing gluten can also trigger diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue.

See your GP if you suspect you may have Coeliac disease.

There is no cure for Coeliac disease but, once the condition has been diagnosed, switching to a gluten-free diet should help.

Find out more about Coeliac disease.

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Gastroenterologist In Plano Tx

Contact your doctor if you think you may have a food sensitivity issue or need help in diagnosing the cause of your bloated belly.

If you are in the Plano, Frisco, Allen or Dallas TX areas call Dr. Brian Cooley, a board-certified gastroenterologist with 30+ years of experience diagnosing bloating symptoms to schedule a consult, at 758-5484 or click to;request an appointment today.

Disclaimer:;This website is owned and managed by Brian Cooley, MD. Any information, offers or instruction as written, inferred or implied is the sole responsibility of Brian Cooley, MD and does not warrant claim or representation, inherent, or implied of DHAT, its subsidiaries or employees.

Foods That Cause Bloating

Bloating is when your belly feels swollen or enlarged after eating.

It is usually caused by gas or other digestive issues (

3 ).

Although bloating may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, it is usually caused by something in the diet .

Here are 13 foods that can cause bloating, along with suggestions on what to eat instead.

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Onions Garlic Leeks And Shallots

Another set of vegetables that can cause gas and digestive problems are onions and the closely related garlic, leeks and shallots. These all contain high levels of fructans, such as inulin and fructooligosaccharides.

While considered a prebiotic, the fructans in onions, leeks, shallots and garlic can cause gastrointestinal issues for many people, including bloating, excessive gas and even diarrhea and an aggravation of IBS symptoms.

If you experience intestinal pain after eating a meal with a lot of onion in it then a cup of;ginger tea can usually help relieve it .

Shallots, leeks, onions and especially garlic are also particularly high in sulfur compounds and can lead to some very smelly farts if eaten in excess.;Eating parsley in the same meal as members of the onion family can help reduce both their gassiness and odor.