Many women think that a bloated belly only comes along with that time of the month but that’s usually not the case as much as we wish it was. Sometimes it’s the foods we eat that can cause that full, gassy feeling.
Check out this list of foods that are probably contributing to that larger-than-life feeling in your belly so you can limit your intake or avoid them altogether:
1. Dairy products
Gas is usually a symptom of lactose intolerance whether it is mild or severe. Try limiting the amount of milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream you eat, and see if that helps. If it does, you don’t have to ditch dairy altogether.
2. Apples and pears
These two fruits each contain about five grams of fiber so they’re an excellent source of soluble fiber, but this means that they can make your tummy take a turn for the worst. You don’t have avoid them entirely, though. Eating half or a quarter of these fruits, or peeling them first, will allow you to enjoy their flavor without paying the price.
3. Beans
This fruit contains oligosaccharide, a type of sugar which is not normally digestible by our bodies. When it reaches your large intestine, the bacteria goes crazy eating it up, and the gas you produce isn’t the best end result. What you can do is eat small amounts of beans along with easily digestible whole grains such as rice or quinoa to help your body get used to them.
4. Broccoli, cabbage, and asparagus
While these highly nutritious veggies are helpful to our bodies, they are often avoided because of the odoriferous outcome. The reason these veggies cause gas is due to raffinose. This sugar unfortunately goes undigested until it reaches the large intestine, where it’s fermented by methane-producing bacteria. You can try eating them in moderation along with other foods that should assist in preventing that bloated feeling.
5. Gum and hard candy
We all enjoy chewing gum or sucking on a hard candy, but by doing so you end up swallowing more often, which means you’re probably swallowing more air. Also, ones that contain artificial sweeteners can also lead to GI issues.
What do you do to get rid of that bloated feeling in your belly? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook and Twitter: @LucilleRoberts
