Flatulence free Holidays
Everyone reacts to foods differently but we can all relate to how uncomfortable and inconvenient gas can be. The finale of a gurgly, noisy, crampy abdomen is usually the passage of intestinal gas (flatus) through the rectum. Flatulence (a fart) is normal and we do it at least 14 times a day, but too much gas is a complaint we hear about in primary care. Too much gas is often caused by factors that can be controlled and your first job is to keep track of the foods you have eaten.
Why is that? Flatus, or intestinal gas, comes from two sources: swallowed air or the work of intestinal bacteria on undigested food. Bacteria in the intestines can produce gas when they process foods that pass into the colon without being digested higher up in the digestive tract. So here goes! Common examples of foods that tend to cause gas:
1) The Vegetable culprits: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are the huge offenders. Cauliflower, asparagus, corn, cucumbers, leeks, onions, peas and peppers are also gas producing foods. Additional items that I think you can do without if you are passing a ton of gas are radishes, sauerkraut and turnips (easy to avoid, right?)
2) Carbonated beverages
3) Beer
4) Red Wine
5) Fried and fatty foods. This is a hard one, think of the really greasy fatty foods in this group to avoid
6) Sugars: Poorly digested sugars like raffinose, lactose, fructose, and sorbitol may cause problems. Hang in there for some details here because this is tricky. Raffinose is a sugar found in many of the vegetables listed above (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc). Lactose is the sugar found in many dairy products including milk. People who are lactose intolerant will find milk, cheese and ice cream may leave you with a painful rumbling stomach and lots of crampy gas. Fructose is a sugar that occurs naturally in many fruits like figs, dates, prunes, pears and grapes. Watch it because Fructose is added as a sweetener to some soft drinks, cookies and cakes. Sorbitol is a frequent culprit of lots of gas and diarrhea. Sorbitol is used to sweeten many sugar-free gums and candies, and it also may be added as an ingredient to medicines.
7) Beans and other legumes: baked beans, garbanzo beans, kidney, lentil, lima, navy and pinto beans
8) Wheat and wheat bran
9) High flatus fruits: apricots, cantaloupe, prunes, raw apples
10) Milk and other dairy products, including highly fermented cheese (Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, etc)
11) Eggs
12) Undigestable fats such as Olestra found in potato chips are a huge offender.
There are also some behaviors to pay attention to. If you are upset, excited or nervous you may gulp too much air. Eating or drinking in a hurry, chewing gum and smoking also contribute to gas.
Remember you don't have to completely eliminate these foods but decreasing your intake for a few days when you feel gassy will help. Several nonprescription antigas medications containing simethicone (Mylanta, Maalox, Di-Gel) or bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) will also help.
Good luck!
Dr O.
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26
I herd ( no pun) they were going to start taxing farm animals for cutting the cheese! Hope they dont't start a broccoli tax.
I can see it now the newly drafted "Broccoli Bill".
And down at the federal Jail.
Question: What are you in for?
Answer: Not paying my cabbage tax!!!!
Oh what a world!
By mark32160 January 12, 2009 9:22pm
25
thanks for the info...hugs
By NYyankeedeb January 8, 2009 1:54pm
24
LOL yep I agree... I think if anyone has the farts, they pretty well know what caused it! duh! If you leave out all these foods like the miss doc says, there is nothing left to eat!! If these foods ever give me the farts, you can bet you beano Ill still keep eating it... Im not a rabbit! Yep..Blame it on the dog or the hubby! lol
By sho December 29, 2008 8:35pm
23
Quite the interresting topic to write about! LOL! So bean aren't the only musical fruit! ROFL!
By htag December 22, 2008 2:05pm
22
lol well I guess if thoes that have this problem goes ahead and eats anything they want, they can practice to fart the tune Jingle Bells and be the hit of the party.
By sho December 14, 2008 12:40am
21
I use Beano, and it works.
Who made farts embarrassing in the first place? That's like being embarrassed because you're tired or for women, because you're bloated rom your period. Why should anyone be embarrassed because of any natural bodily function you can't control?
That said, I find farts hilarious. Maybe because I find it ridiculous that society has deemed them "wrong", and they just happen in spite of it. :p
By Splinky December 11, 2008 4:47pm
20
may everyone have a non flatulant holiday. toooot
By aaauuugh December 10, 2008 10:08pm
19
That about eliminates everything from my diet. Being borderline underweight, I think I would rather just pass the gas. And to whomever says blame it on the dog, that is hillarious!
By poisonberry December 5, 2008 6:02pm
18
Apparently, the conclusion of the article is don't eat anything.
By celt December 2, 2008 10:32am
17
Let's not forget the study that shows smelly gas reduces high blood pressure!! Mine is very low and I'm the queen of gas. I suppose for some people it is necessary to do this elimination of certain foods...for me and my family however we are lucky to be able to enjoy all the foods and then just gas each other out of the room and spend the evening on quiet bliss.
By midlyfe November 30, 2008 2:44pm
16
It's VERY embarrasing but it occured when I was in the kitchen doing all the dishes -- I'm the cinderella of my inlaws. One of the brother-in-laws showed up for a beer at an inopportune moment. Greeaaat.
I probably gulped to much air.
I guess I overate as there was nothing healthy on the menu.
By FeelingRough November 30, 2008 1:16pm
15
I think its very important to note (you touched on it)----many of the foods listed here should NOT be eliminated completely from one's diet---just short term if you are having a real problem w/ excess gas. Many of the foods listed here are VERY healthy and recommended by nutritionists and health experts---ie cruciferous vegetables like brocolli, cauliflower and asparagus, dairy products (esp. low or fat free), legumes and beans, wheat and wheat bran, eggs etc. people who are lactose intolerant can take lactase tablets to help them breakdown the sugar in milk.
By nancy311 November 29, 2008 4:14pm
14
Thank Doc. Now I"ll have an easier time passing the turkey instead of the gas. Hope your gobble gobble day is a memorable one!
By Raezr November 29, 2008 4:00pm
13
What can you eat?!
By KayBeth November 29, 2008 1:50pm
12
Ha, yes I saw an artical regarding cheap crisps and 'anal leakage'. Scary stuff.
By Leswonder November 29, 2008 10:08am
11
A great diet!!!!! cant eat nothing but pasta & tomato sauce!!! :)
God Bless
By chipchip November 29, 2008 12:18am
10
LOL i'm happy to mark my territory LOL
By aaauuugh November 28, 2008 7:19pm
9
I just blame it on the dog.
By MedLab1 November 28, 2008 12:31pm
8
If I eliminated all of these foods from my diet I would be left with bananas, rice, toast and apple sauce.
By cthays November 27, 2008 1:15pm
7
Now I've got a good list of stuff to eat that will get me sent home early....... :=)
By DeltaLimaTango November 27, 2008 12:24pm