Foods That Cause Gas & Bloating

Many foods that are enjoyed every day may cause people the uncomfortable feeling of being bloating or gassy afterward. Fortunately, there are remedies for these situations including avoiding the foods that are known to cause the bloating. There are also many over-the-counter relief products to choose from.

Vegetables

Some vegetables, whether they are eaten raw or cooked, may cause bloating in some people. These vegetables include broccoli, beans and Brussels sprouts. The reason for this may be the natural sugar that is found in these foods, which is called raffinose.

Milk Products

Milk products such as cheese and yogurt have a natural sugar in them known as lactose. Lactose can be a cause of not only bloating in some people, but Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well. There are, however, alternatives to these foods for people who may be lactose intolerant or who seek lower levels of lactose in their dairy products. Some examples include lactose-free milk, soy milk, Swiss cheese and cottage cheese.

Breads and Cookies

Bread, muffins, cakes, waffles and cookies are all foods that can be made using wheat. While they are very tasty, these foods may also cause bloating and gas. As a result, some people have found that if they remove these wheat-based foods from their diet, the bloating and gas issues usually disappear as well.

Potatoes and Noodles

Rice, potatoes, corn and noodles are all examples of starches that can cause those who consume them to experience gaseous symptoms. As these foods travel through the large intestine to be broken down, the gas is produced.

Fruits

Sorbitol, which is a naturally occurring sugar in fruits, is commonly a cause of bloating or gas for some people. Fruits that might cause this discomfort include prunes, apples and pears.

Honey

Honey can be eaten on its own or as a part of other foods and drinks. It is often used in beverages such as soft drinks, fruit drinks and some processed foods to help to sweeten them. Unfortunately, it can also lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome for some people.

Cereals

Foods with bran in them include peas and cereals. There are at least two different types of fiber in foods, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber can cause gas generally because as it travels through the intestines while being digested, it dissolves into a softer, almost jelly-like texture. As insoluble fiber passes through the large intestines, it maintains its structure and thus doesn't produce gas or bloating.